Protester charged with arson after ‘setting fire to a dumpster pushed against an occupied Portland police building’
A PROTESTER has been charged with arson after allegedly "setting a dumpster ablaze and pushing it next to an occupied Portland police building."
Gavaughn Gaquez Streeter-Hillerich, 22, was arrested on Tuesday and faces up to 20 years in prison for the June 26 incident, according to the Department of Justice.
He allegedly lit a fire on top of the dumpster, which he pushed against the Portland Police building, the US Attorney .
The dumpster was pushed against plywood that was next to the building to prevent break-ins.
Officers used fire extinguishers, and firefighters arrived to put out the flames – but the building was damaged, the US Attorney said.
The US Attorney alleged: "were it allowed to spread, would have threatened the safety of 15 police personnel and four individuals in custody inside the building."
Pictures shared by the US Attorney of Oregon show the dumpster burning outside the building.
The US Attorney alleged one photo showed Streeter-Hillerich trying to light a fire.
Another photo showed a tire being set on top of the blazing dumpster.
Demonstrators are seen gathered around as the fire burned in another image.
Using video surveillance, officials identified Streeter-Hillerich as the person allegedly responsible for starting the fire, the DOJ said.
He was arrested on Tuesday by the US Marshals Service in Vancouver, Washington.
Streeter-Hillerich had his first appearance in court on Wednesday, and was released amid further court proceedings, the DOJ said.
The 22-year-old faces a minimum five-year sentence – but may face a total of 20 years in prison for arson, according to the US Attorney.
The arrest came amid months of ongoing demonstrations following the death of George Floyd.
Although some demonstrations have escalated in unrest, protests have remained largely peaceful.