Photo Credit: Andy Ngo
Portland, OR. — A Portland resident pleaded guilty this week to depredation of government property after damaging security cameras and setting debris on fire at a federal immigration facility.
Alistair Macfarlane Sidener, 20, entered a guilty plea to one count of depredation of government property in connection with an incident at a building operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on June 12, 2025, when Sidener intentionally damaged multiple cameras mounted on the facility. Prosecutors said Sidener shot paint at the cameras using a water gun and struck additional cameras with a long metal pole. Shortly afterward, Sidener ignited debris that had been placed against a metal gate at the site.
On Jan. 28, 2026, Sidener was formally charged by superseding information with depredation of government property.
Sidener faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 27, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Sidener agreed to pay full restitution for the damage caused.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
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