Anti-ICE protester in Portland sentenced to 30 months in prison for assaulting a federal officer

A Portland, Oregon man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for assaulting a federal officer during protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. Under a plea deal, Robert Jacob Hoopes pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a federal employee with a dangerous weapon after throwing a rock that struck an officer in the head and left a gash above his eye during a June demonstration. In addition to prison time, U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson ordered three years of supervised release and more than $8,000 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford called the sentence a clear message that violence has no place in protest.

Prosecutors noted that the Justice Department has pursued cases against individuals accused of assaulting federal officers during immigration-related protests in cities nationwide, from Chicago to Los Angeles. The Portland ICE building has been a frequent flashpoint, with months of nightly demonstrations and periodic dispersals using chemical munitions. Other local cases include Trenten Edward Barker’s 18-month sentence for arson, while several prosecutions have been dismissed or await trials. The outcomes reflect a broader federal emphasis on protecting officers during protests.