A Portland transgender activist pleaded guilty this week to felony charges after attempting to intimidate federal immigration officers with a knife and later resisting arrest.
Despite the serious nature of the crimes, the defendant has now turned to crowdfunding to solicit donations for bail.
Julie Winters, 47, of Portland, admitted in federal court to one count of Felony Intimidation of a Federal Officer and one count of Resisting Arrest.
According to court documents, on June 24, 2025, Winters confronted officers at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland armed with a large knife.
Prosecutors stated Winters swung the weapon back and forth in an effort to scare off officers who were attempting to engage with her. The incident was treated as a direct threat to federal law enforcement personnel.
Following the June confrontation, Winters was released on pretrial conditions. However, she violated those terms just weeks later.
On August 20, 2025, she appeared at the Pretrial Services Office in Portland, where U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest her on a federal warrant.
Court records show she resisted by making “forcible contact” with deputy marshals during the arrest attempt.
The defendant was subdued and taken into custody without serious injuries reported.
Hellbound and Down 