Federal prosecutors charge two in Eugene federal building protest cases

Federal prosecutors have turned two January protest incidents at the Eugene federal building into active criminal cases, keeping the downtown site in the middle of a months-long public safety and security dispute.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced the cases on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. In one, 18-year-old Soren Emery Polzin was charged by criminal complaint with depredation of federal property after prosecutors said he damaged exterior windows and doors and tried to gain access to the building while federal civilian employees were still inside.

According to the Justice Department, Polzin repeatedly banged on and kicked a lobby window until it shattered with his lower body. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said the damage amounted to “thousands of dollars’ worth of damage,” and said employees feared the building could be fully breached. FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Doug Olson called the arrest “a major step forward in the investigation,” saying violence and property destruction jeopardize the rights and safety of citizens.

The second case involves 37-year-old Ryan Bruce Gaither Jr., who was indicted on charges including assault on a federal employee involving physical contact and aggravated assault causing bodily injury. Prosecutors say Gaither spit on one U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Response Team officer and bit a second officer during a protest on Jan. 27, 2026.

Gaither pleaded not guilty and was ordered released pending trial. His jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison, five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Both cases stem from separate protest dates but from the same wave of unrest outside the Eugene federal building. On Jan. 30, hundreds of people lined the streets outside the downtown building during a nationwide “general strike” and anti-ICE demonstration. KLCC and OPB reported that protesters banged on doors and windows, sprayed graffiti and that Eugene police declared a riot around 6 p.m. after repeated dispersal warnings. OPB also reported that federal agents later used chemical munitions and that additional resources were brought in from Portland to protect the building.

The legal fallout shows how quickly street protest can move into federal court long after the crowd has gone home. For Eugene, the building remains more than an office tower downtown. It is now a closely watched security point where demonstrations, police response and federal prosecution continue to shape what happens next.