FBI Uses AI to Identify Reed College Graduate Accused of Attacking Agents at Portland ICE Protest

PORTLAND, Ore. — FBI agents utilized artificial intelligence to identify a suspect involved in a protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland on June 14.

Robert Hoopes, who recently graduated from Reed College regarded as one of the most intellectual colleges in the U.S., pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court of Friday.

Hoopes is charged with aggravated assault on a federal agent and is on pretrial release until his trial, scheduled for October 7, before Judge Adrienne Nelson.

Suspect Allegedly Threw Rocks, Hitting an FBI Agent on the Face

It is alleged that Hoopes threw rocks at the ICE facility, striking an agent on the face and leaving a two-inch wound. It is also alleged that Hoopes used a stop sign as a battering ram against the front door of the building. Damages are estimated at nearly $8,000.

Court documents reveal that the FBI used facial recognition software to identify Hoopes. He was also linked to a new article photograph of the suspect wearing a gas mask, and tattoo analysis also indicated that the suspect was Hoopes.

On Friday, Hoopes appeared before Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman who advised him of his rights, allowing him to remain on pretrial release.