SPOKANE, Wash. – Mikki Pike Hatfield and Bobbi Lee Silva have been released from federal custody following detention hearings on Friday.
Both are released with conditions. Hatfield will be GPS monitored ahead of another hearing to determine whether their mother would serve as a third party custodian. If she is found to be a third-party custodian, she would move Hatfield to Boise while they await trial.
Bobbi Silva’s detainment hearing was initially delayed due to her defense team wanting to call Angel Tomeo Sam.
At Silva’s detention hearing, Tomeo Sam was identified as a potential witness. “I was also at the protest and was arrested that night,” Tomeo Sam said.
The Judge required Tomeo Sam to retain her own legal counsel, as being a witness could subject her to cross-examination. The prosecution labeled her as an “unindicted co-conspirator.”
Tomeo Sam expressed her mixed feelings.
“Well on one hand, you know my mind and spirit says I have nothing to hide,” Tomeo Sam said. “That, you know, there’s nothing nefarious going on. On the other hand, I do realize that this is a federal court, and they tend to be very, very thorough.”
Tomeo Sam says fear surrounding her role as a witness mirrors the concerns central to the indictment.
“I guess there could be a fear, but I feel like that’s what all this is about, instilling fear in people who, you know, are exercising their rights,” Tomeo Sam said.
In addition to being a witness and friend, Tomeo Sam received a phone call from Silva while Silva was in federal custody.
The federal prosecutor described these calls in court, suggesting that Silva instructed Tomeo Sam to remove items from her home, including a wooden box and a cooler.
The prosecutor alleged these items might contain illicit substances, possibly methamphetamine, linked to cockfighting.
“Without really going into too many details, because, you know, I haven’t retained counsel myself, and I’ll just say this — there were plans that were made ahead of time in case, you know, in case the day came,” Tomeo Sam said.
Tomeo Sam also shared that during Bobbi’s arrest, her partner was detained by ICE and remains in federal custody.
“And as of now, we don’t even know where he’s at,” Tomeo Sam said.
Between Mikki Hatfield’s detainment hearing and Silva’s rescheduled hearing, the prosecution accepted conditions for Bobbi’s release, sparing Tomeo Sam from appearing in federal court. Had she appeared, she planned to advocate for Silva’s release.
“She is deeply rooted in the community here in Spokane. With children and family,” Tomeo Sam said.
Both Hatfield and Silva still face charges outlined in the indictment: conspiracy to injure or impede a federal officer and assault on a federal officer.
