Portland Man and ‘Lifelong Quaker’ Charged with Assaulting ICE Officer During Protest (Portland, Oregon)

Robert “Jacob” Hoopes, a Portland man described as a “lifelong Quaker” and recent Reed College graduate, has been charged with aggravated assault on a federal officer and damaging a federal building. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a protest at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland on June 14, 2025. During the event, which Portland police classified as a riot, Hoopes is accused of throwing rocks at the building, one of which struck an ICE agent in the face, causing a serious two-inch gash.

Authorities allege Hoopes also led a group that used a stop sign as a battering ram against the ICE building, resulting in damages estimated at $7,727.72. The FBI identified Hoopes by linking a distinctive gas mask he wore to a photo published in an Oregonian article. Facial recognition software and tattoo analysis were used to confirm his identity.

Hoopes appeared in federal court on Monday, facing the charges. A roommate who witnessed his arrest wrote a public letter on social media, calling for supporters to attend the court hearing. The letter expressed concern over the arrest, stating that “anyone can be brutally arrested – even after the fact at their home – for participating in a nonviolent protest.”

Tom Hoopes, the suspect’s father, spoke to the media outside the U.S. courthouse in Portland. He described his son as a “lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism,” noting his involvement in an action on June 14. While Tom Hoopes could not specify his son’s role, he emphasized Jacob’s character, calling him an “organic gardener and the soul of kindness.”

Community members, including local Quakers, joined Tom Hoopes in a rally across from the courthouse in support of Hoopes. The gathering reflected the broader tensions surrounding protests and law enforcement interactions, highlighting the complex interplay between public dissent and legal accountability.

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