Portland, OR. — A 45-year-old Portland man has been charged in federal court after allegedly making repeated violent threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and their families, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced Friday.
John Paul Cupp made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. He is charged by criminal complaint with making threats against a federal law enforcement officer.
According to court documents, on October 14, 2025, Cupp began shouting insults and threats at law enforcement officers near the ICE building in South Portland. Prosecutors allege he threatened to kill officers and sexually assault their wives.
Investigators say Cupp later posted a video on November 3 repeating those threats and continued to post violent rhetoric online on November 13. Authorities described him as a prolific online content creator who frequently posts extremist messages, including antisemitic threats and calls for violence.
“Threats of violence against the brave members of law enforcement and their families will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “We will continue to prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law.”
Acting FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres echoed that message. “Threats to law enforcement personnel have absolutely no place in our community,” he said. “Attempts to intimidate those sworn to protect the American people degrade efforts to keep all of us safe.”
Since June 13, 2025, federal prosecutors in Oregon have charged 40 individuals with crimes connected to incidents near ICE facilities, including assault on federal officers, failure to comply, and property damage.
The FBI is leading the investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
Officials noted that a criminal complaint is an allegation, and Cupp is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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