Portland man and 'lifelong Quaker' charged with assaulting ICE officer during protest

FBI agents arrested a Portland man known as a "lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism" on Friday. The suspect, Robert "Jacob" Hoopes, appeared in federal court Monday on charges of aggravated assault on federal officer, and damaging a federal building.

The charges against Hoopes, a recent Reed College graduate, stem from his alleged involvement in a violent protest at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in South Portland on June 14, 2025. At the protest, which Portland Police declared a riot, Hoopes allegedly threw rocks at the building, one of which struck an ICE agent in the face, causing a "serious" two-inch gash on the agent's face.

Authorities claim 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.

In court documents, an FBI agent wrote that they identified Hoopes by linking a distinctive gas mask worn by the suspect to a photo published in an Oregonian article. The agent said facial recognition software and tattoo analysis pointed them to Hoopes.

A roommate of Hoopes, who said they witnessed the arrest Friday, wrote a public letter on social media calling on supporters to attend Monday's court hearing.

"The arrest of Jacob Hoopes seems to be telling us that anyone can be brutally arrested - even after the fact at their home - for participating in a nonviolent protest," the letter read. "We are hoping that Jacob's arraignment hearing (Monday) will result in his release, as he is not someone who would have 'assaulted an officer.'"

Tom Hoopes, the suspect's father, spoke to the media outside the U.S. courthouse in Portland.

"Jacob is a lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism. He's an organic gardener and the soul of kindness," Tom Hoopes said. "Jacob was involved on June 14 in an action. What his involvement was: I can't speak to that. But he is deeply committed to justice."

According to court documents, FBI agents surveilled Hoopes at his Northeast Portland home on July 10.

The letter written by Hoopes' roommate described the arrest, stating, "At around 9 a.m. on Friday morning, July 25, Jacob and I looked out our bedroom window to see a flood of armed officers race into our driveway and charge at our house with assault rifles...Because everyone in my household is a safe, caring person, I was convinced they had the wrong house and couldn't understand what could warrant this kind of threat to our lives."

Hoopes made his first court appearance on July 28 before Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You.

During the hearing, Judge You granted Hoopes pretrial release, against the request of federal prosecutors. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Portland.

Matthew McHenry, Hoopes' attorney, celebrated the release in a statement to KATU News:

"We agree with the court’s decision and are glad he was released. We very much appreciate the community's support for Jacob, and look forward to the opportunity to fight his case with him out of custody," McHenry said.