Oregon Man Convicted of Federal Charges Following Summer Clashes at Portland ICE Facility
PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge has found an Oregon man guilty on multiple counts related to disruptions at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland last summer. David Pearl, 35, was convicted of failing to obey a lawful order and creating a disturbance during a period of heightened civil unrest in June 2025.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Pearl was identified as a key participant in a group of agitators who targeted the federal building on Portland’s South Waterfront. Prosecutors demonstrated that in June 2025, Pearl physically obstructed the facility’s driveway, preventing federal vehicles from exiting the premises during shift changes.
The situation escalated days later when Pearl returned to the site. Video evidence and officer testimony confirmed that Pearl physically intervened during the arrest of a fellow demonstrator. Prosecutors argued that Pearl’s actions went beyond vocal dissent, posing a safety risk to Federal Protective Service (FPS) agents attempting to secure the perimeter and execute lawful duties.
The defense, however, vehemently objected to the characterization of Pearl as a threat to public safety. Throughout the proceedings, Pearl’s legal counsel argued that his actions were constitutionally protected forms of civil disobedience rooted in opposition to federal immigration policies. The defense maintained that the obstruction charge was an overreach and that his intervention in the arrest was a “good Samaritan” attempt to prevent what he perceived as excessive force by law enforcement against a non-violent protester.
This verdict serves as the latest chapter in the long-standing tension surrounding the Portland ICE facility. For years, the building has served as a focal point for demonstrations in the Pacific Northwest, with clashes often erupting between federal officers and activists. While the frequency of large-scale protests had diminished prior to the summer of 2025, the June incidents represented a resurgence in direct-action tactics by local activist groups.
Federal authorities have indicated that this conviction is part of a broader strategy to deter physical interference with federal operations. Meanwhile, civil rights groups continue to monitor these cases closely, expressing concern that the crackdown on specific tactics used by protesters may have a chilling effect on free speech and assembly in the region.
Pearl is scheduled to return to court for sentencing later this year.
