Portland protester pleads guilty after paint damage to ICE cameras and small fire at gate
Guilty plea filed in federal case tied to June 2025 incident at South Waterfront ICE facility
A 20-year-old Portland resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to damaging government property during a June 2025 incident at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland’s South Waterfront area. The plea resolves a case centered on damage to surveillance equipment and a brief fire at the site’s gate, both described in court filings.
The defendant, Alistair Macfarlane Sidener, admitted to one count of depredation of government property. Sentencing is scheduled for May 27, 2026, in U.S. District Court. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a fine that can reach $250,000, and up to three years of probation. As part of the plea agreement, Sidener agreed to pay full restitution for the damage.
What court records say happened on June 12, 2025
Court documents describe a sequence of events on June 12, 2025, at the ICE building in South Portland. Investigators alleged Sidener damaged multiple exterior cameras by firing paint at them from a water gun and striking them with a long pole. Prosecutors said the same episode included starting a fire against a metal gate at the facility.
Federal cases involving the ICE building have often centered on alleged property damage or confrontations in and around the perimeter of the South Waterfront complex, which has repeatedly drawn protest activity.
How the case fits into broader enforcement near the ICE building
The guilty plea comes amid a larger set of federal prosecutions linked to incidents near the ICE facility beginning in June 2025. Federal authorities have described a pattern of alleged conduct that ranges from defacement and property damage to more serious charges in other cases, including arson and assault on federal officers.
Separately, federal court records and public safety statements from local authorities have documented recurring protest activity in the neighborhood, including crowd-control orders and arrests tied to alleged criminal behavior. Portland police have also emphasized that, while the bureau does not conduct immigration enforcement, it remains responsible for public safety and enforcing state law during demonstrations.
Key verified case details
Defendant: Alistair Macfarlane Sidener, 20, of Portland.
Date of incident described in court records: June 12, 2025.
Conduct described: paint shot at exterior cameras using a water gun; cameras struck with a pole; fire started against a metal gate.
Plea: guilty to depredation of government property.
Sentencing date: May 27, 2026.
Federal sentencing will determine penalties within the statutory range and any restitution schedule approved by the court.
No additional details about the amount of damage, the length of the fire, or any injuries were included in the publicly described summary of the plea. The court is expected to address sentencing factors at the May 2026 hearing.