FBI investigators identified Robert Jacob Hoopes as a suspect in the injury of an ICE officer during protests in Portland, Ore., using facial recognition software, according to a criminal complaint from the case.
In the criminal complaint, an unidentified FBI special agent said that a photo shared on OregonLive.com — the online version of The Oregonian — was put into “commercially available facial recognition software.” The software allegedly provided 30 possible comparison photos from public databases. FBI Portland reviewed the photos and found one from a Reed College SmugMug page called “Canyon Day April ’23,” in which a tattoo on the suspect’s forearm is visible. It was identical to that of the suspect seen at the anti-ICE protest on June 14.
A person believed to be Robert Jacob Hoopes allegedly throwing rocks at an ICE building. (United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon)
Tom Hoopes, the suspect’s father, described his son as a “lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism,” according to KATU 2. Though he did not deny that his son was present at the anti-ICE protest and “involved on June 14 in an action. What his involvement was: I can’t speak to that, but he is deeply committed to justice,” the outlet reported.
“The love and support from our extended community—especially the Quaker community—has been extraordinary and incredibly supportive. It played a crucial role in convincing the judge that Jacob should be released yesterday. My gratitude knows no bounds,” Tom Hoopes told Friends Journal, a Quaker publication.
Robert Jacob Hoopes and others allegedly using a stop sign as a battering ram. (United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon )
Hoopes is set to be arraigned on Aug. 15, according to reports. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon said in a statement that Hoopes faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the assault charge and up to 10 years for the property damage charge.
