Local Man Sentenced for Firing Handgun into Federal Courthouse

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beavercreek, Oregon man was sentenced today for discharging a firearm into the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse in Downtown Portland on January 8, 2021.

Cody Levi Melby, 40, was sentenced to five years’ federal probation.

“Cody Melby is a disabled combat veteran who, after becoming detached from his mental health support system, made an extraordinarily poor and dangerous decision to fire a gun at the Hatfield Courthouse. Fortunately, nobody was injured during this incident,” said Scott Erik Asphaug, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The sentence imposed today will ensure Mr. Melby receives the treatment he needs while also protecting the community.”

“We commend the work of our partners, the Federal Protective Service and U.S. Attorney's Office, in resolving this troubling incident. When appropriate, we are always looking for ways to divert people away from violence and direct them toward rehabilitation. In many cases this happens out of the public eye, but in a situation like this one we want to highlight that a holistic response is sometimes more effective,” said Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.

According to court documents, at approximately 7:35pm on January 8, Melby jumped over a security fence at the Hatfield Federal Courthouse and fired several rounds into the building’s exterior with a 9mm handgun. Two courthouse security officers exited the building and approached Melby after observing him on a closed-circuit security camera. Melby told the officers he had a gun and the officers placed him in handcuffs without further incident.

Federal Protective Service officers dispatched to the scene located five spent 9mm bullet casings, three spent bullets, three bullet holes in plywood affixed to the building’s stone columns, and damage to the metal soffit above the building’s main entrance.

After his arrest, Melby was charged by criminal complaint with destruction of government property. Later, on January 21, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a one-count indictment charging Melby with possession of a firearm in a federal facility. On October 14, 2021, Melby pleaded guilty to the single charge.

Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service and FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Maloney.