Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PORTLAND, Ore.—An Oregon City, Oregon man made his first appearance in federal court today after he was charged with assaulting a federal law enforcement officer during a declared riot Saturday near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
Joshua Ames Cartrette, 46, has been charged by criminal complaint with misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.
According to court documents, on June 14, 2025, thousands of people engaged in peaceful protests in Portland. In the afternoon, several hundred people gathered in protest at an ICE office in South Portland where some individuals targeted the building with mortar fireworks, rocks, bricks, and glass bottles. The gathering was later declared a riot by local law enforcement. At approximately 5:50pm, individuals breached the exterior door of the ICE office before being pushed back by federal officers. Additional federal officers, including Customs and Border Protection Tactical Unit (BORTAC) agents, were dispatched to the location.
Later the same evening, a BORTAC agent observed Cartrette push another agent and kick multiple deployed tear gas canisters toward other agents.
Cartrette made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released on conditions pending future court proceedings.
Misdemeanor assault of a federal officer is punishable by up to one year in federal prison.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.