Spokane ICE Protest Turns Violent: 9 Face Federal Charges

SPOKANE, WA – A peaceful protest outside the Homeland Security office in Spokane devolved into a chaotic scene of violence and obstruction on June 11th, resulting in federal charges against nine individuals. The Department of Justice announced today that each defendant will appear in federal court at 3 P.M. to answer to allegations ranging from conspiracy to impede federal officers to the direct assault of those same officers.

The trouble began when Benjamin Theodore Stuckart, 53, allegedly used social media to rally others to block a bus transporting federal detainees from Spokane to Tacoma for immigration hearings. Responding to Stuckart’s call, Jac Dalitso Archer, 33, and others joined him in physically obstructing the bus’s path, ignoring repeated orders to disperse. The situation quickly escalated as Justice Forral, 33, parked a vehicle to further block the bus’s exit, while Erin Nicole Lang, 31, and Forral allegedly deflated the bus’s tires. Co-conspirators then vandalized the windshield, rendering the vehicle unusable.

As federal officers attempted to leave the facility via a secure parking lot, they were met with a wall of resistance. Forral, Mikki Pike Hatfield, 34, Collin James Muncey, 34, Bobbi Lee Silva, 38, Bajun Dhunjisha Mavalwalla II, 35, Archer, and others allegedly blocked the driveway and physically pushed against the officers. The indictment details that Silva specifically struck a federal officer from behind while the officer was attempting to clear a path for the transport vehicles. The group further obstructed egress by strategically placing trash cans, sandbags, benches, and signs in front of doors and exits.

The situation worsened when Spokane Police arrived and attempted to secure a red transport van designated for the detainees. The van was immediately surrounded by Stuckart, Hatfield, Lang, Silva, and others. Thalia Marie Ramirez, 20, then allegedly armed herself with a boxcutter and slashed the van’s tires, again making it unsafe to operate. After dispersal orders were ignored, Spokane Police deployed inert smoke and pepper balls in an attempt to control the crowd.

According to the indictment, Hatfield escalated the conflict further by picking up one of the deployed incendiary devices and throwing it in an unknown direction. Each of the nine defendants now faces serious federal charges. Stuckart, Forral, Lang, Muncey, Ramirez, Mavalwalla II, and Archer are all charged with Conspiracy to Impede or Injure Officers. Hatfield and Silva face the additional charge of Assault on a Federal Officer, Employee, or Person Assisting a Federal Officer, with varying allegations of intent to cause another felony or use of a dangerous weapon.

“We respect and honor everyone’s right to peacefully protest,” stated Acting United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. “However, the few who choose to cross the line from protest to violence and destruction will be held accountable.” The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops and bring you the latest updates on these federal charges. Expect further details on potential sentencing guidelines and evidence presented in court in the coming days.