The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has used facial recognition technology to identify Robert Jacob Hoopes, a Quaker, as the suspect in the assault of an ICE officer and the damage to federal property during protests in Oregon. Hoopes was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and property damage, facing potential federal prison time.
According to the criminal complaint, the FBI investigators identified Hoopes by analyzing a photo shared on OregonLive.com, which was input into commercially available facial recognition software. This software allegedly provided 30 comparison photos from public databases, and after reviewing these, FBI Portland found a match from a Reed College SmugMug page, where a visible tattoo on Hoopes’ forearm was compared to that of the suspect seen at the anti-ICE protest on June 14.
The incident occurred during protests in Portland, Ore., where Hoopes allegedly threw a rock that caused a significant injury to an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officer, leading to profuse bleeding and the need for more than basic first aid. Following the attack, Hoopes was reportedly seen with two other individuals using a stop sign’s metal pole as a makeshift battering ram, with the cost of replacing the door estimated at $7,747.72.
Tom Hoopes, the suspect’s father, described his son as a ‘lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism.’ Although he did not deny his son’s presence at the protest, he emphasized his son’s dedication to justice. The community’s support, especially from the Quaker community, played a crucial role in the judge’s decision to release Jacob yesterday.
Hoopes is set to be arraigned on Aug. 15. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon stated that he faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the assault charge and up to 10 years for the property damage charge.