❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Portland man was charged with assaulting a federal officer after allegedly spitting in the officer’s face during an anti-ICE protest.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Devin Patrick Montgomery, 49, federal officers, and anti-ICE protesters.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland, Oregon, during the ongoing protests.
🎯IMPACT: Montgomery faces up to eight years in prison if convicted. Federal authorities have charged 26 protesters with various offenses since the demonstrations began.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged Devin Patrick Montgomery, 49, of Portland, Oregon, with assaulting a federal officer during an anti-ICE protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland. Montgomery allegedly spat in a federal officer’s face after being detained for illegally operating a drone above the facility, according to the DOJ.
The Federal Protective Service (FPS), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), observed Montgomery flying a drone in a restricted area above the ICE facility. Officers informed him of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrictions, but Montgomery refused to comply and continued operating the drone. When approached, he reportedly became belligerent, cursed at officers, and claimed he had the right to operate the drone. After his arrest, Montgomery allegedly spat in the face of one of the officers.
Video footage shared on social media showed Montgomery resisting orders and being verbally aggressive with officers. Several federal agents were needed to take him into custody. Protesters, many of whom are linked to Antifa networks, harassed the officers during the incident, according to the footage.
Portland, Ore. — On Monday, the US Department of Justice charged another protester with assault on a federal officer.
Devin P. Montgomery, 49, of Portland, has been accused of spitting in an officer’s face after he was taken into custody for illegally flying a drone above the… pic.twitter.com/FPaJI77QjX
— Katie Daviscourt 📸 (@KatieDaviscourt) September 9, 2025
Since the anti-ICE occupation began on June 7, federal authorities have charged 26 protesters with crimes, including assault on a federal officer, arson, and possession of destructive devices. Some incidents involved serious violence, such as attempting to harm officers with knives and large rocks. Sixteen of the defendants face charges of assaulting federal officers. Additionally, 109 citations have been issued, which could prevent protesters from returning to the site.
Montgomery was released from custody pending further court proceedings. Amid ongoing violence at the ICE facility, President Donald J. Trump has threatened to deploy the National Guard to restore order. Local police are largely not responding in the area, citing low staffing levels and Portland’s sanctuary city policies.
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