Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information, including more confirmed arrests and where those arrested are being held.
Early Tuesday morning, federal authorities executed arrest warrants on nine Spokanites who were part of the June 11 protest at Spokane’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office.
These are the names and charges of the nine people arrested:
- Jac Archer, Co-Executive Director of Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR): charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
- Justice Forral, a prominent organizer and fulltime staff member of SCAR who also sits on the Spokane Human Rights Commission: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
- Ben Stuckart, a former city council president: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
- Mikki Hatfield: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers and Assault on a Federal Officer, Employee, or Person Assisting a Federal Officer (intent to cause another felony/use of a dangerous weapon)
- Erin Lang: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
- Bajun Mavalwalla II, the son of Bajun Mavalwalla who was the campaign manager for Bernadine Bank, who ran for the Congressional District 5 House of Representatives seat in 2024: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
- Collin Muncey: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
- Bobbi Silva: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers and Assault on a Federal Officer, Employee, or Person Assisting a Federal Officer (physical contact / intent to cause another felony)
- Thalia Ramirez: charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers
It’s unclear what time each person was arrested, but both Forral and Stuckart were picked up around 6 am. Initial sources said the arrests were conducted by agents with the US Marshal Service (USMS) and Spokane Police, though Police Chief Kevin Hall said SPD was not involved. In a follow-up call with city spokesperson Erin Hut, she said “we followed up with our police teams and they confirm they were not there.”
The nine people are being held in the US Marshals lockup in the Federal Building, which is neither the Spokane County Jail nor the ICE office. RANGE reached out to USMS for comment, but they have not responded. We’ll update this story if they do.
Spokane criminal defense lawyer Jeffry Finer said seven of the people arrested will be released later today. He said he had expected more people would be arrested on more serious charges, though even the”Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers” charge carries some hefty potential consequences; up to 6 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
All arrests were reportedly made at the homes of the activists, Finer said. The arrests were initially confirmed by friends and colleagues, then later confirmed by the Justice Department in a statement. Local attorney Rick Eichstaedt, who was preparing to meet Stuckart for a weekly round of golf the two men have been playing in good weather for almost 5 years, later clarified that Stuckart was picked up en route to the golf course. Alison Collins of Boots Bakery also later confirmed Erin Lang was arrested near the bakery, as she arrived to open the bakery that morning.
The most surprising arrest, by far, though, is Jac Archer.
Archer is a colleague of Forral’s at Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR) and was among the leaders of the June 11 protest, but crucially, they were not arrested that day.
Forral, Stuckart and Lang were all arrested June 11, along with 28 other people. Forral was rearrested on June 14 as they walked into Spokane’s Pride Celebration. Many of the arrested had their phones taken.
Archer’s arrest represents a real escalation by the US government to pursue federal charges against someone who had no local charges pressed.
The Marshals are a branch of federal law enforcement within the US Justice Department, not the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the department in charge of ICE. This likely means if local jurisdictions support them, it would not be a violation of the Keep Washington Working Act, the state’s sanctuary law. The Marshals’ primary job is locating people wanted on federal charges, so this is within their jurisdiction.
SPD Chief Kevin Hall told RANGE that SPD did not coordinate with the Marshals, and “had no idea it was happening until after it already started.” Hall said they could not confirm charges, how many people the Marshals had warrants for, or any additional information.
Mayor Lisa Brown sent out a statement at 9:47 am:
“I just learned that several community leaders were detained this morning by federal agents apparently for their roles in the June 11 demonstration at the ICE facility. I’m outraged.
“This politically motivated action is a perversion of our justice system. The Trump Administration’s weaponization of ICE and the DOJ is trampling on the U.S. Constitution and creating widespread fear across our community.
“Spokane has been a welcoming city for immigrants and refugees for decades. The Trump Administration and Congress must provide legal pathways for people fleeing violence and seeking the American dream. That will make America great.”
Spokane City Council Member Paul Dillon also sent out a statement at 11:26 am.
“Like many of you this morning, I am closely following the news of arrests by federal agents this morning as a result of the June 11th demonstration at the ICE facility in Spokane.
Today is another reminder of the pain, fear and chaos by the Trump Administration.
I stand with Ben, Justice, Jac and others – these are our friends and neighbors. It is important to follow the lead of organizations that are demanding accountability against these unlawful actions.
I will advocate for charges to be dropped and the two young men who were detained on June 11th in violation of their due process to be released. If it’s in the courts or with policy or in the streets, we must come together to defend and stand for the rights of people in Spokane. We must be the city that welcomes all.”
Spokane City Council Member Zack Zappone posted a statement on social media after 3 pm.
“As many of you have heard, Spokanites have been arrested on federal charges for peacefully protesting. This is wrong. Everyone deserves to be at home with their families.
This Administration continues to stoke fear with these arrests of protestors – and by illegally taking lawful immigrants from their homes every day. We have to keep fighting together for a city – and a country – where everyone belongs.”
The action by the Department of Justice sparks a new phase of the conflict between local organizers and the federal government over the detention of immigrants in Spokane.
As of publication, local organizers say they are gathering information but declined to give any specifics about potential action.
Anwar Peace, a Spokane Human Rights Commissioner, spoke to RANGE about the arrest of Forral, who is also a Human Rights Commissioner.
“It’s completely scary that we’re living in a time where a Human Rights Commissioner is standing up for human rights violations and goes through what Justice is dealing with right now,” Peace said. “It’s not just Justice. This is gonna be coming to your neighbor soon. This is gonna be coming to your kids’ teacher soon. This is gonna be coming to your local grocery clerk soon.
This is gonna be coming for all of us that stand up for the First Amendment. These are very scary times.”
We will update this story as new information becomes available.
