This case was not assigned to a standard violent crimes unit. The FBI special agent who swore the complaint was assigned to the FBI Portland Field Office, Domestic Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction Squad — a unit whose mandate, per the affidavit, is to investigate "violent criminal acts committed to further ideological goals."
"My current assignment is to the FBI Portland Field Office, Domestic Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction Squad. In this capacity, I investigate a variety of violent criminal acts committed to further ideological goals... As a result of my involvement in counterterrorism investigations, as well as my counterterrorism training, I am familiar with the tactics, methods, and techniques of persons engaged in terrorism-related offenses."
This designation places the Barker case in a different investigative category than the Hoopes case (NFA-AV-001-L), which was handled by the Domestic Violent Incident Crimes Unit. The arson of a federal building by an individual engaged in ideologically motivated protest activity — dressed in black bloc, carrying pre-loaded incendiary materials — fell within the Domestic Terrorism squad's jurisdiction.
During the week of June 9, 2025, protesters assembled at the ICE building located at 4310 S Macadam Avenue, Portland, Oregon — a federal property leased by the U.S. government through the General Services Administration. Portland Police Bureau officers monitored the protests. A Federal Protective Service Special Agent monitored the building from inside via the security camera system.
On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 9:50 PM, FPS Agent-1 observed a group of individuals begin constructing a barricade against the vehicle gate of the ICE building. The materials used included roadway signs, traffic cones, cardboard, tree branches, logs, assorted lumber, tables, and electric battery-powered scooters.
At approximately 9:51 PM, an individual dressed in all-black wearing a backpack — later identified as Trenten Edward Barker — was observed on ICE building surveillance footage standing in the driveway near A-frame traffic barriers. The FBI affidavit notes that individuals dress in "black bloc" attire specifically to maintain anonymity and avoid identification.
"At approximately 9:51:49 p.m., Barker, who was not wearing gloves, was seen retrieving a flare from his backpack which he lit and tossed with his right hand directly toward and onto the pile of materials stacked against the vehicle gate in the ICE building driveway. The lit flare that Barker threw was used as a heat source to ignite the materials stacked against the vehicle gate. Following this, other individuals were seen continuing to add items to the pile of materials stacked against the vehicle gate. FPS Agent-1 reported that several seconds after Barker threw the flare, growing flames could be seen in the pile of materials against the gate."
"Federal officers within the ICE building grounds (behind the vehicle gate), were observed on surveillance footage from the ICE building attempting to extinguish the fire using a small hand-held fire extinguisher canister. However, that attempt was ineffective, and the fire continued to grow. Another officer was then observed using a second, larger fire extinguisher, and was able to fully extinguish the fire at approximately 9:55 p.m. This was approximately three minutes after Barker was observed tossing the lit flare. Law enforcement officers behind the vehicle gate were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to the ICE building."
The fire was stopped before it reached the building itself. The damage was confined to the metal vehicle gate. Metro Access Control, a security system installation service, estimated the damage at over $4,000 at the time of complaint. Final restitution ordered at sentencing: $8,820.
Barker attempted to return to the crowd after throwing the flare — standard black bloc doctrine, per the FBI affidavit: "individuals dressed in 'black bloc' will try to return to a larger crowd to avoid detection by law enforcement." It did not work.
"LEO-1 described Barker as a smaller white male, wearing clear googles, a black t-shirt covering his face, and black tape covering the logo of his black backpack. LEO-1 observed that Barker did not have gloves on, and that Barker's skin was exposed and visible... LEO-1 stated that Barker was wearing the same clothing items and same backpack that LEO-1 previously observed, and that it was clear from Barker's overall appearance and stature that this was the same person that LEO-1 observed throwing the flare. LEO-1 continued to observe Barker and relayed Barker's location in the crowd to other law enforcement officers."
At approximately 10:45 PM — nearly an hour after the arson — Portland Police Bureau officers moved into the crowd and arrested Barker. He was found holding an opened black umbrella and in possession of the clear goggles matching the earlier description. He initially resisted. He then complied. He was handcuffed and escorted to a PPB custody vehicle — where he voluntarily provided his name: Trenten Edward Barker.
| Count | Charge | Statute | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Count 1 | Arson of Federal Property — maliciously damaging or destroying by means of fire any property owned by, leased to, or used in the performance of duties for the United States | 18 U.S.C. § 844(f) | Up to 20 years federal prison |
| Count 2 | Depredation Against Federal Property — willful injury or destruction of government property | 18 U.S.C. § 1361 | Up to 10 years federal prison |
18 months federal prison. Restitution: $8,820 — covering damage to the ICE building's metal vehicle gate. Case investigated by the FBI Portland Domestic Terrorism/Weapons of Mass Destruction Squad. Prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Oregon.
NFA-AV-001-L and NFA-AV-002-L are connected by location, timing, and investigative agency — but distinct in crime type, defendant, and investigative unit. The NFA records both in sequence as the first two entries in the Anti-Government Violence archive.
Date: June 14, 2025
Crime: Aggravated assault — rock thrown at ICE officer's face
Injury: 2-inch laceration, vision-obstructing blood loss
Unit: FBI Domestic Violent Incident Crimes Unit
Identified by: Leaf tattoo, silver bracelet, facial recognition, Reed College records
Sentence: 30 months federal prison + $8,000+ restitution
Plea: February 18, 2026
Date: June 11, 2025
Crime: Arson — lit road flare thrown onto combustible barricade against vehicle gate
Damage: Metal gate destroyed — fire required two extinguishers
Unit: FBI Domestic Terrorism/WMD Squad
Identified by: Undercover LEO tracking in crowd, black tape on backpack, PPB body camera
Sentence: 18 months federal prison + $8,820 restitution
Arrested: Same night — 10:45 PM
1. Criminal Complaint and FBI Special Agent Affidavit — Case 3:25-mj-00176 — Document 7 — Filed June 30, 2025 (SEALED) — 12 pages — U.S. District Court, District of Oregon — Signed: Honorable Youlee Yim You, U.S. Magistrate Judge — Sworn by telephone at 6:17 PM, June 25, 2025
2. Charges: Count 1 — Arson of Federal Property (18 U.S.C. § 844(f)); Count 2 — Depredation Against Federal Property (18 U.S.C. § 1361)
3. Guilty Plea — Arson of Federal Property
4. Sentence — 18 months federal prison + $8,820 restitution — U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
5. Multnomah County Sheriff's Office — Official booking photographs — Trenten Edward Barker