Federal jury finds army veteran and two other ICE protesters guilty of conspiracy
A federal jury in Washington state convicted three anti-ICE protesters of felony conspiracy over a June 2025 demonstration. The case is being framed by legal experts as a serious test of protest and speech rights.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Three protesters, including an Afghanistan war veteran, were convicted in Spokane on felony conspiracy charges tied to an ICE protest. Supporters and legal experts say the case could set a troubling precedent for how protest activity is prosecuted.
A court said three people broke a law by joining together in a protest against ICE. One of them was a former Army sergeant who fought in Afghanistan.
Think of it like a school rule fight, but much bigger: people argue over whether the students were just speaking up, or whether they planned to cross a legal line together.
The big issue is not only what happened at the protest. It is also whether the government can use a serious crime charge against people taking part in a demonstration.
Analysis
What happened
A federal jury in Eastern Washington found three people guilty of felony conspiracy for their role in a June 2025 protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. One of those convicted was Bajun Mavalwalla, a former US Army sergeant and Afghanistan veteran. The others were not named in the excerpt, but all three now face possible prison terms of up to six years and a $250,000 fine.
Why the case is controversial
Legal experts quoted by The Guardian say the prosecution represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s approach to protest activity and First Amendment rights. The judge, Rebecca Pennell, barred the defendants from using the First Amendment as a defense and also kept certain facts from trial, including a later federal ruling that the migrant at the center of the protest had been arrested unconstitutionally.
How the trial unfolded
The jury saw body-camera footage and heard from ICE agents, a federal contractor, and local law enforcement. Prosecutors argued the protesters conspired to block deportation transportation. Defense lawyers pointed to the absence of injuries, the lack of evidence showing communication among the defendants before the protest, and the broader constitutional context. Former acting US attorney Richard Barker, who resigned rather than sign the indictment, said no agents or protesters were hurt.
What comes next
The defendants are expected to appeal and have already filed a Rule 29 motion asking the judge to overturn the verdicts. The case is notable because prosecutors used an older federal conspiracy statute, and because it may influence how future protest cases are charged in politically divisive immigration fights.
Key points
- A federal jury in Eastern Washington convicted three ICE protesters of felony conspiracy.
- One convicted defendant was a former US Army sergeant and Afghanistan veteran.
- The case is being described by legal experts as a major test of protest and First Amendment rights.
- The defendants face possible prison time, fines, and an expected appeal.
- The prosecution used an older federal conspiracy law in a politically charged immigration case.
