US veteran charged with ‘conspiracy’ over ICE protest refuses to plead guilty
Key Takeaways
- Bajun Mavalwalla, a 36-year‑old U.S. Army veteran, has pleaded not guilty to federal conspiracy charges after a June 2025 protest against ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Spokane, Washington.
- He faces up to six years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for allegedly conspiring to “impede or injure a federal officer.”
- It has been reported that the Justice Department sent a memo directing U.S. attorneys to prioritize prosecutions of anti‑ICE protesters; one acting U.S. attorney resigned rather than sign an indictment in this case.
- Civil‑liberties advocates and fellow veterans say the prosecutions risk chilling First Amendment protest rights; the DOJ argues it will not tolerate obstruction of lawful immigration operations.
Background
Bajun Mavalwalla, who served as a U.S. Army sergeant in Afghanistan, was part of a June 11, 2025 protest that tried to block the transport of two Venezuelan immigrants arrested by ICE during a routine immigration hearing in Spokane. It has been reported that demonstrations became confrontational at times, a government vehicle was damaged and demonstrators linked arms to confront masked federal agents. Mavalwalla told the Guardian he refuses to plead guilty and is “ready to face justice,” saying the right to protest is “supposed to be fundamentally American.”
Charges and official response
Federal prosecutors charged Mavalwalla and eight others with conspiracy to “impede or injure a federal officer,” an allegation that carries significant penalties. In federal law, a conspiracy charge typically alleges an agreement to commit an unlawful act and at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement; the government must prove those elements beyond a reasonable doubt. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has said it “respects the first amendment and the right of Americans to peacefully protest, but will never tolerate the obstruction of lawful immigration operations or putting federal agents in harm’s way.” Richard Barker, the acting U.S. attorney in eastern Washington at the time, resigned rather than sign the indictment, saying he did not feel a six‑year conspiracy charge was appropriate in this case.
Legal context and what it means for people involved
Legal experts quoted in the reporting described the prosecutions as an escalation under the current administration’s enforcement priorities. It has been reported that the DOJ sent a memo to U.S. attorneys — including Barker — directing prioritization of anti‑ICE protest prosecutions, a directive that raises questions about prosecutorial discretion and First Amendment protections. For protesters, immigrants, and community supporters, the immediate effects are practical and chilling: potential felony exposure for civil disobedience, increased risk for those who attempt to intervene in deportation‑related actions, and a deterrent effect on public demonstrations. For anyone involved in or documenting protests, consult a lawyer before acting, remain peaceful, and be aware that federal charges can carry long‑term collateral consequences beyond any prison sentence.
Source: Original Article