FBI: Portland Man Accused of Threatening to Kill Officers, Target Families in Online Rants
A Portland man is facing federal charges after authorities say he repeatedly threatened to kill law enforcement officers and sexually assault their wives, both in person and across a series of online posts. According to…
A Portland man is facing federal charges after authorities say he repeatedly threatened to kill law enforcement officers and sexually assault their wives, both in person and across a series of online posts.
According to Fox News, John Paul Cupp, 45, allegedly confronted officers outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in South Portland on Oct. 14.
According to court filings, Cupp began shouting insults as officers approached a crowd gathered near the facility.
“Cupp threatened to kill law enforcement officers, sexually assault their wives, and harm their children,” the documents state, according to the FBI.
Investigators say the threats continued long after that initial encounter. On Nov. 3, 2025, Cupp allegedly posted a video online repeating the same violent claims against federal agents and their spouses.
Ten days later, on Nov. 13, he reportedly shared additional posts targeting officers and their families with similar rhetoric.
Federal authorities describe Cupp as “a prolific producer of online content,” noting that he regularly posts “aggressive rhetoric, calls for war against the United States, antisemitic threats, and threats of violence.”
Cupp has been charged with making threats against a federal law enforcement officer — a serious federal crime that can result in significant prison time.
FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital that the agency is treating the case as part of a broader effort to confront rising extremist threats.
“If you threaten to kill law enforcement officers or harm their families, you will face the full weight of the federal government,” Patel said. “This FBI will use every investigative tool we have to identify violent extremists and remove them from our communities.”
U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford issued a similar warning, emphasizing that violent threats against law enforcement “will not be tolerated.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding those accountable who threaten and intimidate those who protect our communities, and we will continue to prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law,” Bradford said.
Acting FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres said the threats undermine public safety and the work of those tasked with protecting the country.
“Attempts to intimidate those sworn to protect the American people and uphold our Constitution degrade efforts to keep all of US safe,” Torres said. “The FBI will use all investigative means available to US to seek out and arrest anyone using violent rhetoric to express themselves.”
Cupp remains in federal custody as the case proceeds. Authorities have not yet announced a court date for his next appearance.