19-Year-Old Charged with Assaulting Federal Officer During Portland ICE Protest

Portland, Oregon- A 19-year-old Portland man made his first appearance in federal court Tuesday after being charged with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer during a protest near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland earlier this week.

Deni Jungic Wolf faces one count of assaulting a federal officer resulting in bodily injury, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

Court documents allege that the incident occurred late Monday night, June 16, when approximately 25 individuals gathered outside the ICE facility to protest. Authorities said some demonstrators trespassed onto federal property and constructed a makeshift shield wall that obstructed vehicle access.

Around 11 p.m., federal officers advised the crowd that the property was closed and ordered them to disperse. Additional officers, including members of the Customs and Border Protection Tactical Unit (BORTAC), were called to assist in removing the blockade.

As officers advanced toward the shield wall, Wolf allegedly pushed against their shields with his body. According to prosecutors, a federal officer grabbed Wolf to keep him from falling, at which point Wolf struck the officer in the head, knocking off the officer’s mask. The officer was then exposed to pepper spray and pepper-ball residue used during the dispersal effort.

Investigators identified Wolf from surveillance video that showed the assailant wearing distinctive red gloves. Wolf was reportedly wearing red gloves when he was later taken into custody.

Wolf appeared Tuesday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released on conditions pending further court proceedings.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Protective Service and the FBI and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.