A federal jury in Spokane, Washington convicted three protesters on felony conspiracy charges Thursday for their participation in a June 2025 demonstration against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Among those convicted was a U.S. military veteran who served in the war in Afghanistan. The three defendants now face potential sentences of up to six years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Legal experts characterized the case as representing an escalation in federal prosecution of protest activities, describing it as part of broader concerns about first amendment rights under the current administration.

The convictions come amid increased federal enforcement actions related to immigration policy. According to government data, the Trump administration has deported more than 21,000 individuals to countries that the State Department has designated as too dangerous for U.S. citizens to visit.

The majority of those deported had no criminal convictions, and at least 600 were children. Among the deportations were more than 200 people sent to Iran during a 13-month period, including 18 individuals deported in late January as military tensions escalated between the U.S. and Iran.