Portland man accused of spitting in face of federal officer outside ICE building

A 38-year-old Portland man accused of spitting in the face of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer appeared in federal court Tuesday.

Alexander Jay Boyce is accused of felony assault on a federal officer.

Boyce was part of a crowd outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office that refused to move back despite orders blared on a long-range loudspeaker and verbal commands from officers to clear the building’s driveway to allow cars to enter and exit Sunday night, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Cardani.

Boyce was standing in front of the Customs and Border Protection officer, away from the driveway, when he swore at and shouted in the officer’s face, according to photos included in a federal affidavit.

Boyce yelled “move back” and something to the effect of “get out of my city” and then spit at the officer, according to the affidavit.

Cardani said surveillance video and the officer’s body camera footage captured Boyce’s “forceful spitting.”

A photo included in the affidavit shows saliva hanging from the officer’s helmet.

While the prosecutor called the allegation serious and cited concern that Boyce also self-reported drinking six beers a day, Cardani said he recognized that Boyce has no prior convictions. He also acknowledged Boyce has strong ties to the local community and a job.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Susan Wilk said Boyce’s employer called him highly-skilled and dependable but did not identify his job.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Armistead released Boyce from custody Tuesday afternoon on his own recognizance.

The judge directed Boyce to stay away from specific blocks around the ICE building and advised Boyce not to let his beer consumption impede his judgment or ability to comply with the pretrial restrictions.

“Nobody spits on the brave men and women of federal law enforcement and gets away with it,” said Oregon’s interim U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “If you spit on a federal law enforcement officer, you will be hit with federal charges.”

Boyce is one of 31 people who have been arrested on federal misdemeanor or felony charges stemming from protests outside the ICE building since June. Portland police have arrested another 37 people since June.

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