Portland Man Charged with Assaulting a Federal Officer

PORTLAND, Ore.—A local man is facing federal charges today after he assaulted and injured a court security officer at Pioneer Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland.

Jett Avery Thomas, 39, a Portland resident, has been charged by criminal complaint with assaulting an employee of the United States with a dangerous weapon and causing bodily injury.

According to court documents, on the morning of July 3, 2023, Thomas threw an object at the Pioneer Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland. After a court security officer attempted to address him, Thomas charged up the front steps of the courthouse. The officer retreated into the courthouse and attempted to secure the door behind him. Before he could do so, Thomas grabbed the door, forced it open, and assaulted the officer. The struggle continued outside the door, where Thomas continued assaulting the officer, striking him with a hard object and placing him in a chokehold. The officer accessed his service weapon and fired two shots into Thomas’ torso.

Thomas was apprehended, provided first aid, and transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries. The officer was also transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

Thomas will make his first appearance in federal court at a later date. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from the Federal Protective Service and Portland Police Bureau. It is being prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney 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.