An 18-year-old Oregon man’s alleged plot to behead federal ICE agents as recruitment “trophies” for a separatist nation exposes the dangerous radicalization festering in America’s leftist strongholds, where anti-law enforcement rhetoric has morphed into violent extremism targeting patriots who protect our borders.
Story Snapshot
- Rayden Tanner Coleman, 18, arrested February 4 for plotting to murder Portland ICE agents and behead them as “trophies”
- Coleman planned to establish the “Cascadia Rangers Coalition” at Warm Springs Indian Reservation as a separatist nation
- Police seized Molotov cocktails, tactical weapons, and surveillance gear after roommates reported Discord threats
- Charges include six counts of unlawful possession of destructive devices and attempted second-degree assault with $400,000 bail
Discord Radicalization Fuels Anti-ICE Terror Plot
Rayden Tanner Coleman of St. Helens transformed online rage into a calculated assassination scheme targeting federal immigration officers in Portland. Court documents reveal Coleman spent early January discussing his intentions on Discord with roommates, expressing fury over ICE “kidnapping civilians” and detailing plans to follow agents home, behead them, and display the remains as recruitment tools. The 18-year-old escalated rapidly from digital rants to stockpiling tactical axes, a U.S. Army knife, night vision equipment, and ordering an AR rifle. This case underscores how unchecked anti-law enforcement sentiment—amplified in Democrat-controlled Portland since 2020 protests—creates fertile ground for domestic terrorism against those defending America’s sovereignty.
Weapons Cache and Separatist Agenda Uncovered
St. Helens Police executed a high-risk traffic stop at Coleman’s workplace, Avamere Assisted Living, on February 4, discovering a disturbing arsenal. Officers found six glass bottles filled with sand and hand sanitizer intended as Molotov cocktails, alongside surveillance equipment in his vehicle trunk. Coleman had methodically gathered shovels, camouflage gear, and tactical weapons while outlining plans for the “Cascadia Rangers Coalition,” a separatist entity he envisioned establishing at the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. His scheme included killing a security guard’s father to eliminate witnesses. During a Miranda interview, Coleman admitted intent to attack ICE agents with explosives but claimed beheading talk stemmed from “anger” without genuine follow-through—a distinction that rings hollow given his extensive preparations and material acquisition.
Roommates’ Courage Prevents Bloodshed
Coleman’s roommates emerged as unlikely heroes, reporting escalating threats after witnessing knives brought into their apartment and increasingly violent Discord messages. One roommate, initially dismissing Coleman’s bottle requests as a joke, grew alarmed as the teen discussed beheading tactics and recruiting followers through graphic displays of severed heads. Their decision to contact authorities likely prevented a massacre at Portland’s ICE facility, where hardworking federal agents enforce immigration laws amid hostile local politics. This intervention highlights the critical role citizens play in countering extremism, particularly when government officials—like Portland’s leadership—have historically undermined rather than supported law enforcement efforts to secure borders and uphold constitutional order.
Legal Proceedings and Broader Implications
Coleman faced arraignment before February 11 on seven charges, including six counts of unlawful manufacture and possession of destructive devices plus one count of attempted second-degree assault. A judge set bail at $400,000, with a pretrial release hearing scheduled for February 11 and trial date set for March 31. This case arrives as President Trump’s administration restores robust immigration enforcement after years of Biden-era border chaos. The targeting of ICE agents reflects a disturbing trend where leftist rhetoric demonizing border protectors inspires real-world violence. Portland’s 2020 unrest—where federal agents faced tear gas attacks while defending facilities—provided the ideological backdrop for Coleman’s radicalization. The incident demands heightened security at immigration facilities nationwide and exposes how progressive hostility toward constitutional immigration enforcement endangers Americans committed to preserving national sovereignty and the rule of law.
Sources:
Court docs: Columbia County teen wanted to kill ICE agents, start his own nation – KATU
St. Helens teen nabbed in alleged plot to attack ICE agents – Hoodline
