In an unprecedented federal crackdown, the Department of Justice has charged six Antifa-affiliated individuals with serious offenses related to protests at a Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility.
According to The Post Millennial, the defendants were arraigned in US District Court on June 20, facing charges ranging from assaulting federal officers to attempting to trap agents inside the facility.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred on June 18 and 19, where protesters allegedly engaged in violent confrontations with federal officers, including the use of high-powered lasers and makeshift weapons against law enforcement personnel.
Violent Confrontations Lead to Multiple Arrests
Samuel Tate Berry, a 29-year-old trans activist with previous riot-related arrests, faces some of the most serious charges, including striking a BORTAC agent with a shield and kicking a Federal Protective Services officer in the throat during an arrest attempt.
Andrew James Beason, 53, and Nokomis Lee, 22, both face charges for failing to comply with lawful orders during the dismantling of barricades that were blocking access to the facility. Beason's criminal history includes a recent harassment conviction in Washington County.
The protests have escalated beyond typical demonstrations, with some participants allegedly engaging in targeted harassment of ICE employees and clients, following them with cameras and making threatening statements about knowing their personal information.
Escalating Tactics Raise Serious Concerns
Liam Harry Houpis, 22, faces particularly troubling charges for allegedly attempting to trap federal officers inside the ICE building by drilling plywood over exterior doors. This incident occurred during the evening of June 19, marking a significant escalation in protest tactics.
Eduardo Diaz Guardado, 22, is accused of temporarily blinding an officer with a high-powered laser, while Juniper Perry Weed, 21, allegedly engaged in physical confrontations with officers that resulted in injuries to law enforcement personnel.
The FBI has noted that most protesters have adopted "black bloc" tactics, wearing all-black clothing to prevent individual identification, a strategy commonly associated with Antifa movements.
Pattern of Organized Resistance Emerges
The ICE facility in South Portland has been under sustained protest activity since June 6, coinciding with similar demonstrations in Los Angeles. These actions have followed a consistent pattern of escalation from daytime harassment to nighttime violence.
Federal investigators have documented a range of criminal activities, including the throwing of rocks, trash, and bricks at officers. Protesters have also allegedly used pepper spray against law enforcement personnel.
The Department of Justice has also charged several other Portland-area residents in connection with these protests, including individuals facing up to 20 years in federal prison for assault causing bodily injury to federal officers.
