PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland woman is facing multiple federal charges after allegedly attacking U.S. Marshals in court while already under indictment for an earlier confrontation involving an incendiary device and knives outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building.
Courtroom Arrest Turns Violent
On August 20, 2025, deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service attempted to arrest Julie Winters, 46, for violating the conditions of her pretrial release. According to court documents, Winters became hostile and resisted efforts to place her in custody.
Deputies reported that Winters fought back for several minutes before being restrained and escorted to a holding cell. Once there, Winters experienced what officials described as a “medical incident.”
As marshals removed her restraints to provide medical aid and await paramedics, Winters allegedly began fighting again. She is accused of grabbing one deputy by the hair and whipping the officer around before being subdued.
Winters was later charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer and resisting arrest in connection with the courtroom struggle.
Prior Charges From June Incident
The August arrest was linked to Winters’ earlier release conditions stemming from a violent confrontation on June 24, 2025 outside the Portland ICE building.
According to prosecutors, Winters was spotted by Federal Protective Service officers trying to ignite an incendiary device near the facility’s guard shack. When confronted, she allegedly pulled a large knife from her backpack and began waving it at officers.
Court filings state that Winters then threw the knife toward one officer, though it did not hit anyone. As she fled, an officer deployed a taser, temporarily incapacitating her. During the arrest attempt, Winters allegedly pulled a second large knife from her waistband before officers were able to disarm her and take her into custody.
A federal grand jury later indicted her on two counts of attempted assault on a federal officer and intimidation of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon for the June incident.
Federal Investigation and Prosecution
The case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon are handling the charges.
Officials emphasized that a criminal complaint is only an allegation and Winters is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Broader Context of Federal Confrontations
The incidents involving Winters highlight ongoing tensions between federal agencies and activists in Portland. While authorities did not comment on Winters’ motivations, similar confrontations in recent years have often been tied to protests against federal immigration enforcement and local frustrations with ICE’s presence in the city.
Federal officers in Portland have frequently been stationed at the ICE building in South Portland, which has been the site of repeated demonstrations and clashes since 2018. The June 24 incident occurred during a period of renewed protests outside the facility.
What Comes Next
Winters remains in federal custody following the August confrontation. If convicted on the new charges, she could face additional prison time on top of penalties stemming from the June indictment.
Her case will proceed through the federal court system in Portland, where prosecutors are expected to argue that her repeated acts of violence demonstrate a risk to public safety and justify stricter custody measures.
For now, Winters’ case stands as a reminder of the volatile intersection between federal law enforcement and individuals who see themselves as resisting government authority.
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