United States of America v. Tomas Plancarte-Benson

Portland, Oregon criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Assaulting Federal Law Enforcement Officer Near Local ICE Office.



A Portland man made his first appearance in federal court today after assaulting a federal officer near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.



Tomas Plancarte-Benson, 37, has been charged by criminal complaint with the felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.



According to court documents, on the evening of September 27, 2025, federal officers attempted to clear the driveway at the ICE facility. Plancarte-Benson was among a group of agitators blocking the driveway. Federal officials gave repeated verbal commands to "move” or "clear the driveway.” Rather than move when directed, Plancarte-Benson shoved a federal officer and retreated into the crowd. Federal officers subsequently found Plancarte-Benson near the ICE facility and arrested him for assaulting a federal officer.



"Violence at the ICE building or any other federal building will not be tolerated. If you assault a federal law enforcement officer, you will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.



Since June 13, 2025, the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon has charged 27 defendants with federal crimes for offenses committed at the ICE building, including assaulting federal officers, failure to comply, and depredation of government property.



Plancarte-Benson made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was released on conditions pending further court proceedings.

Felony assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to eight years in federal prison.



A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.