FBI Utilizes Facial Recognition in Portland Protest Case

In a significant development, FBI investigators have employed facial recognition software to identify Robert Jacob Hoopes as a suspect involved in injuring an ICE officer during protests in Portland, Oregon. According to a criminal complaint, the investigation began when a photo published on OregonLive.com was analyzed using commercially available facial recognition technology. This software generated 30 potential matches from public databases. Among these, FBI Portland identified a photograph from Reed College’s SmugMug page titled “Canyon Day April ’23,” which displayed a tattoo on Hoopes’ forearm matching that of the suspect seen at the protest on June 14.

Charges and Allegations Against Hoopes

Robert Jacob Hoopes was apprehended at his residence and faces charges of aggravated assault on a federal officer and damaging government property. The criminal complaint alleges that Hoopes threw a rock at an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officer, causing significant facial injuries that required medical attention beyond basic first aid. Additionally, Hoopes is accused of collaborating with two others to use a stop sign pole as a battering ram against government property, resulting in damages estimated at $7,747.72.

Community Support and Legal Proceedings

Tom Hoopes, the father of the accused, described his son as a lifelong Quaker committed to pacifism. Despite acknowledging his son’s presence at the protest, he emphasized Jacob’s dedication to justice. The Quaker community has shown substantial support for Hoopes, which played a crucial role in his recent release. He is scheduled for arraignment on August 15. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon has stated that Hoopes could face up to 20 years in federal prison for assault and up to 10 years for property damage.