PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges stemming from an assault on a court security officer at the Pioneer Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland.
Jett Avery Thomas, 42, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a federal employee causing bodily injury, aggravated assault on a federal employee with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault on a federal employee involving physical contact, according to U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
Court documents state that on the morning of July 3, 2023, Thomas threw an object at the Pioneer Federal Courthouse. A court security officer attempted to address Thomas, who then climbed over a fence and charged up the courthouse’s front steps.
The officer retreated inside the building and attempted to secure the door. Before the door could be closed, Thomas grabbed it, forced it open and punched the officer in the head.
The struggle continued outside the courthouse entrance. Thomas allegedly struck the officer with a hard object and placed him in a chokehold.
The officer was able to access his service weapon and fired two shots, striking Thomas in the torso.
Thomas was arrested and provided first aid before being transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. The officer was also taken to a hospital for treatment and was later released.
A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Thomas on the three assault charges on Aug. 1, 2023.
Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, with assistance from the Federal Protective Service and Portland Police Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin is prosecuting the case.
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