PORTLAND, Ore.-A Southern California man pleaded guilty today for attempting to set fire to the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse during a protest in Downtown Portland on July 13, 2020.
Kevin Benjamin Weier, 35, of Vista, California, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of depredation of government property.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2020, Weier was present at a protest outside the Hatfield Federal Courthouse in Portland. During the protest, Weier placed a burning piece of wood against the building.
On Aug. 10, 2021, Weier was charged by criminal information with one count of depredation of government property.
Depredation of government property is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years’ supervised release. Weier will be sentenced on Nov. 15, 2021 before U.S. District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut.
Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
