SPOKANE, Wash. – Martin Diaz has been declared not guilty for assaulting a federal officer, concluding a trial that captured public attention. The case centered around an arrest on April 29, 2025 which was recorded by Ring cameras at Diaz’s home and shared widely on social media by his wife, Kendall Diaz. The footage sparked public outrage and protests.
Federal prosecutors attempted to use the video as key evidence against Diaz, who was charged with assault after allegedly striking an officer during the arrest. However, the jury delivered their not guilty verdict just before 5:00 p.m., prompting tears and applause in the courtroom.
Despite the verdict, questions remain about Diaz’s legal right to remain in the United States. His wife, Kendall, described the events leading to his arrest, saying, “It’s been six months, and Martin was taken by ICE pretty violently from our house.”
Diaz’s legal troubles are not new. Court documents show a long history with ICE agents, including a previous operation on February 1st to arrest him.
During the April arrest, documents state Diaz was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed, later charged with assault for allegedly hitting an agent with his elbow.
Kendall Diaz said her husband has been in county jail since the arrest.
Martin Diaz has been embroiled in legal battles for over 16 years, with Diaz previously convicted of assault in 2008 and granted voluntary departure from the U.S. multiple times. Despite paying fines and serving jail time, Diaz remained in Washington, attempting to secure a green card through his marriage.
“We were in the process of getting all of his legal stuff in place,” Kendall Diaz said. After an ICE visit in February, the couple filed a petition to remove the 2009 order of removal.
Kendall expressed hope, “We thought that he would be okay, that we could get through this.” However, Martin Diaz was arrested again on April 29th, with law enforcement stating he was “a citizen of Mexico illegally in the United States, with a valid order of removal and violent criminal past.”
ICE data shows arrests in the Seattle region have surpassed those from 2021 to 2024 combined. White House Border Czar Tom Homan defends the actions of immigration agents repeatedly stated since taking the position in January that, “We’ve arrested public safety threats and national security threats, bottom line.”
NonStop Local reached out to ICE about detentions in Spokane. In a statement, ICE said, “Every day the brave men and women of ICE enforcement and removal operations Seattle are identifying, targeting and apprehending those with criminal convictions or outstanding warrants as well as those who have illegally re-entered or have a final order of removal.”
Kendall Diaz emphasized her husband’s ties to the U.S. “Regardless of his criminal history, he’s been here his entire life, he only knows this country,” she said.
Despite jurors finding Martin Diaz not guilty of assault, the deportation will go through. Diaz is being transferred to a holding facility in Tacoma. From there he will be deported back to Mexico.
Kendall Diaz says she is going to make her way there to rejoin her husband and start a new life.
