Portland woman punched ICE officer in face, officials say

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland woman made her first appearance before a federal judge today after allegedly assaulting a federal officer this week.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement were conducting an arrest near the intersection of East Burnside Street and Southeast 143rd Avenue on Thursday morning when 40-year-old Temika Gardner attempted to physically intervene, officials say.

The arrestee attempted to escape but was recovered. As officers were escorting the person back, Gardner placed her hands on the agents multiple times, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

She struck one officer in the face and removed his face covering. Gardner also allegedly swung at another officer at least twice and knocked his sunglasses to the ground. She removed the face mask of other officer, and struck another in the left side of his jaw.

In court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News, Gardner was holding up her phone and recording during the encounter. One officer tried to spray her with Oc pepper spray during the struggle, but missed her eyes. She also accused one of the officers of having a fake badge.

Following her first appearance in federal court, a U.S. Magistrate Judge ordered her release pending further court proceedings. Her arraignment is set for Nov. 20.