More than 70 Face Federal Charges Amid Violence in Portland

Federal authorities have arrested some 100 people in Portland since the end of May, as anti-police protests have regularly given way to what DOJ called "vandalism and destruction." Of those, 74 face federal felonies, misdemeanors, and citations. Hundreds more have been arrested by state and local law enforcement looking to reestablish order.

"Violent agitators have hijacked any semblance of First Amendment protected activity, engaging in violent criminal acts and destruction of public safety," U.S. attorney Billy J. Williams said. "The U.S. Attorney's Office and our federal law enforcement partners are expeditiously working with local and state law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute these individuals that are disrupting the rule of law in our communities and physically attacking our law enforcement officers and destroying property. Violent agitators not only delay real reform, but make our community less safe by keeping law enforcement from responding to other critical calls for service."

More than half of those charged are alleged to have assaulted a federal officer—a crime that, DOJ noted, can lead to up to 20 years in prison if done with a dangerous weapon. A further four face arson charges, some tied to protests at the federal courthouse in Portland that protesters repeatedly assaulted over several nights earlier this month. Federal arson carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, with a mandatory minimum of five.

"While the FBI supports and safeguards constitutionally protected activity and civil rights, there is no permit for assault, arson or property damage and these are not victimless crimes," Renn Cannon, special agent in charge of the FBI in Oregon, said. "Among the victims of violent crime are business owners, residents and individuals exercising their First Amendment rights through protests or other legitimate forms of expression."