The first of Portland’s Antifa-affiliated agitators arrested in connection with violent protests targeting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has now been federally convicted.

Julie Winters, who was previously known as Christopher Hudson, pleaded guilty in federal court to felony intimidation of a federal officer and resisting arrest, marking a rare federal conviction in a long string of protests and violent confrontations that gripped Portland’s downtown area during the height of unrest.

Winters’ plea deal brings to a close a volatile chapter that began in June, when the defendant allegedly attempted to attack federal officers with a large knife during one of several late-night clashes outside the ICE facility in Southwest Portland. According to court documents, officers on scene were forced to subdue Winters after repeated warnings failed to de-escalate the situation.

Federal prosecutors said Winters’ actions went beyond ordinary protest activity and crossed into deliberate, targeted violence against federal employees. “The defendant’s intent was clear — to intimidate and physically harm federal officers performing their lawful duties,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated in a post-hearing briefing.

From Protest to Prosecution

The ICE facility in Portland has long been a focal point for anti-federal demonstrations and anarchist gatherings since 2018. Protesters often denounce ICE’s immigration enforcement policies, accusing the agency of human rights abuses. However, authorities maintain that many of these demonstrations have evolved from peaceful protest into recurring scenes of destruction and violence.

In Winters’ case, investigators said the June confrontation was particularly alarming. Surveillance footage and officer body cameras reportedly captured Winters brandishing a knife while shouting threats at officers standing guard outside the federal complex.

When officers intervened, a brief but intense struggle ensued. Winters was eventually restrained and taken into custody without any reported injuries to law enforcement, though prosecutors emphasized the “clear intent to cause harm.”

At the time of the arrest, Winters was charged with multiple felonies, including assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility, and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. Those charges carried the potential for a lengthy prison sentence, but several were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Release and Repeat Offense

After initially being taken into custody, Winters was granted conditional release pending trial. But in a development that shocked both prosecutors and local officials, Winters violated those release terms within weeks — returning to the same ICE facility that had been the site of the original attack.

When federal marshals attempted to re-arrest Winters, authorities say the defendant once again resisted violently, forcing officers to use physical restraint measures to subdue the suspect a second time.

That incident led prosecutors to argue that Winters presented an ongoing danger to public safety and to the officers involved in federal operations. The U.S. Marshals Service described the re-arrest as “chaotic and dangerous,” highlighting the risks posed by repeat offenders in politically charged environments.

Federal Conviction Marks a Turning Point

The federal court’s acceptance of Winters’ guilty plea represents one of the first successful prosecutions stemming from the wave of Antifa-linked demonstrations in Portland that escalated in 2020 and continued sporadically over subsequent years.

While hundreds of arrests were made during the peak of Portland’s unrest, many cases were later dismissed or declined by prosecutors due to evidentiary challenges or political pressure. Winters’ conviction stands out as a symbolic victory for federal authorities seeking to reaffirm accountability in attacks against law enforcement officers.

“Violence against federal officers will never be tolerated, regardless of political motive,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Martin following the hearing. “Protest is a protected right, but assault and intimidation are crimes — plain and simple.”

Sentencing is scheduled for later this year. Winters faces up to 10 years in federal prison, though the actual sentence may be reduced due to the plea arrangement and acceptance of responsibility.

A Divisive Reaction in Portland

Reaction to Winters’ conviction has been mixed. Supporters of law enforcement hailed the outcome as overdue, arguing that the city’s prolonged tolerance of violent protest has emboldened repeat offenders.

Local activist groups, however, framed Winters’ prosecution as part of a broader federal crackdown intended to silence dissent. “The government is criminalizing political opposition,” one activist stated during a small rally outside the courthouse. “This is not justice — it’s retaliation.”

Legal analysts noted that Winters’ case underscores the ongoing tension between Portland’s activist culture and federal law enforcement agencies operating within the city. “There’s a thin line between protest and criminal conduct,” said legal commentator Andrew McKinney. “Once a weapon is introduced, or officers are physically attacked, the legal system has little choice but to respond.”

What Comes Next

As Winters awaits sentencing, the case has reignited debate over the future of political activism in Portland and how law enforcement should balance constitutional freedoms with the need to maintain public order.

For federal authorities, the message appears clear: attacks on federal personnel will be prosecuted aggressively, regardless of the defendant’s ideological motivations.

Meanwhile, community leaders and civic groups continue to call for de-escalation and dialogue, warning that prolonged cycles of confrontation only deepen the city’s divisions.

“Portland has been through enough,” said one city council member. “We can’t rebuild trust while violence — from any side — continues to define our public discourse.”