Oregon judge sentences teen who plotted to bomb, behead ICE agents in domestic terror plot to 3 years of probation

An Oregon teen who was charged with domestic terrorism in an intricate plot to kill federal agents at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland has been sentenced to three years of probation. Rayden Tanner Coleman, 19, of Columbia City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of unlawful manufacture of a destructive device in a sweetheart plea deal.

Coleman was arrested on February 4 for his plot to bomb and behead ICE agents. He was initially charged with 15 counts of serious offenses, including first- and second-degree domestic terrorism. The state dismissed the 13 other charges after Coleman changed his plea to guilty on September 1 in the Columbia County Circuit Court.

Judge Michael T. Clarke also sentenced Coleman to 75 days in jail with credit for time served, records show. This means Coleman will not spend any additional time behind bars.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by KATU, Coleman allegedly planned to follow ICE agents home as they left the facility on Macadam Avenue and kill them. This included using night vision goggles to stalk their whereabouts and wearing camouflage clothing to blend in. He plotted to use explosive devices to kill federal agents, and then sever their heads and take them as trophies.

Investigators found Coleman in possession of surveillance equipment, tactical axes, military knives, shovels, and homemade explosive devices, including Molotov cocktails, which were located in his vehicle during his arrest. Coleman had also been making payments towards an AR-15, according to court documents.

Coleman shared his plans in a manifesto on the app Discord. He attempted to recruit his roommates to kill ICE officers, writing in a message that he was "sick and tired" of immigration enforcement operations and was "gonna get my hands on a firearm."

"I will actively kill any ICE agents killing or kidnapping civilians," wrote Coleman, according to a probable cause affidavit. His roommates told police in an interview that they initially thought Coleman was joking around until they noticed his stockpile of weapons. 

Coleman also planned to kill the father of his friend who works as a security guard at the Portland ICE facility. "I know this might sound crazy but I have a plan," he wrote, revealing his intention.

Police said he admitted to plotting to kill ICE agents during an interview following his arrest, and said he planned to use Molotov cocktails. Coleman was apprehended after one of his roommate's parents informed police about the kill plot. He was arrested by local authorities during a traffic stop.