Portland man indicted for threatening politician

Authorities say the suspect made alarming statements about "hunting" his target.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A 42-year-old Portland resident named Ethan Winters has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly threatening an elected official and a minor. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon announced the charges on Monday, stating that Winters made disturbing statements about "hunting" his intended victims.

Why it matters

Threats against public officials and minors are taken extremely seriously by law enforcement, as they can indicate the potential for violence and disrupt the democratic process. This case highlights the challenges authorities face in balancing free speech protections with the need to prevent real harm.

The details

According to the indictment, Winters allegedly made several threatening statements on social media, including "I'm hunting my prey" and "I'm going to make an example of them." The elected official and minor were not named in the announcement. Winters was arrested and is currently in federal custody awaiting trial.

  • The alleged threats were made in late February 2026.
  • Winters was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 13, 2026.

The players

Ethan Winters

A 42-year-old Portland resident who has been indicted for allegedly threatening an elected official and a minor.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon

The federal prosecutors who announced the indictment against Winters.

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What they’re saying

“Threats of violence against public officials and minors are unacceptable and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Scott Erik Asphaug, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon

What’s next

Winters is scheduled to appear in federal court on March 20, 2026, where a judge will determine if he should be held in custody pending trial.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of authorities taking all threats against elected officials and vulnerable individuals seriously, in order to maintain public safety and the integrity of the democratic process.