Ryan Bruce Gaither Jr., Assault on a Federal Officer, Oregon 2026

Eugene Man Charged with Assault on a Federal Officer

A 37-year-old man from Eugene, Oregon, has been charged with a federal crime after an altercation involving a U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Special Response Team officer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2026, Ryan Bruce Gaither Jr. spit on a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer and bit a second officer.

The indictment charges Gaither with assault on a federal employee involving physical contact and aggravated assault on a federal employee causing bodily injury.

Gaither made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. magistrate. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026.

If convicted, Gaither faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

Federal Protective Service is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Ryan Bruce Gaither Jr.

Criminal Charges: Assault on a federal employee involving physical contact and aggravated assault on a federal employee causing bodily injury.

City and State: Eugene, Oregon

Exact Date: January 27, 2026

Sentence or Outcome: Gaither was released pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

Dollar Amounts: $250,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/eugene-man-charged-assault-federal-officer