A jury in the Eastern District of Washington has convicted Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II of conspiring to impede federal law enforcement officers and injure property during an incident at an ICE facility in Spokane in June 2025. The verdict was delivered on May 28, 2026, following an eight-day trial and over a day of jury deliberations. Sentencing for the three defendants has not yet been scheduled by United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell.
The charges stemmed from an event where the defendants and others prevented officers from transporting individuals from a Spokane detention facility to another near Tacoma. For more than nine hours, officers were denied the ability to perform their duties, with defendants destroying property and blocking exits. Several officers testified during the trial that they feared for their safety due to the actions taken. This case was part of a larger indictment where six other defendants pleaded guilty.
Extensive legal proceedings preceded the trial, including nearly a year of litigation and numerous pre-trial motions. The jury selection process alone took over a day to ensure fairness. During the trial, the United States presented numerous witnesses and video evidence of the defendants' conduct. Two defendants exercised their right to testify, while one chose not to.
Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney, commented on the verdict, stating, "Everyone in this free country has the right to make their voices heard, and we encourage the exercise of that right. But no one has the right to cross the line into lawbreaking." He emphasized the role of the jury system in resolving conflicts, adding, "Here, twelve individuals from across our community heard 8 days of evidence and concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that these three defendants committed the crime as charged."