Military Veteran Faces Conspiracy Charges Following Protest Against ICE
A U.S. military veteran has been arrested on federal conspiracy charges after participating in a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in June 2025. Bajun Mavalwala, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army who served in Afghanistan, has declined to plead guilty and stated his readiness to face trial.
Mavalwala expressed that the right to protest is a fundamental aspect of American values. “This is a right, and when I joined the military, I thought I was joining to protect it,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of non-violent expression, stating that individuals should stand up for their beliefs without causing harm to others.
The 36-year-old veteran faces severe penalties, including six years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for allegedly conspiring to “obstruct or injure a federal officer.” His arrest occurred after he and others attempted to block the deportation of two Venezuelan immigrants during a routine immigration hearing in Spokane, Washington, in June 2025.
This protest, which escalated at times, involved confrontations that resulted in damage to government vehicles and armed protesters engaging with masked federal agents. However, Mavalwala was not one of the over 20 individuals arrested on-site.
In a notable legal move, federal prosecutors charged nine protesters, including Mavalwala, with conspiracy—a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s approach to managing First Amendment rights. The media coverage of Mavalwala’s arrest has ignited backlash among fellow veterans who view his prosecution as an attack on democratic values.
The Justice Department has stated that it respects the First Amendment while affirming its commitment to preventing interference with lawful immigration operations and protecting federal officers. Richard Barker, then acting U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington, resigned without signing the indictment against Mavalwala and others, citing ethical concerns regarding the charges and emphasizing that no one was injured during the protests.
Barker’s resignation came after he learned of efforts to pursue conspiracy charges against Mavalwala and his co-defendants. Despite six of Mavalwala’s co-defendants pleading guilty and accepting probation deals, he remains firm in his stance, unwilling to admit to a crime he asserts he did not commit. His family, including his girlfriend Caitlin Gaston, a medic who served in Afghanistan, continues to support his battle, maintaining that this case is rooted in First Amendment rights.
In light of his circumstances, Bajun Mavalwala’s father, a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer, has announced his run for Congress, inspired by his son’s situation and concerns over governmental overreach. With a trial set for May 18 in federal court, Mavalwala continues to vocalize his sentiments on immigration and the essence of America. “Everyone here is an immigrant or comes from an immigrant background,” he remarked, asking rhetorically, “What is America without immigrants?”
