PORTLAND, Ore. — Alan Swinney, a right-wing extremist and Proud Boys member involved in recent violent clashes with antifa and other groups in downtown Portland, Oregon, was arrested Wednesday on assault and weapons charges, authorities said.
Swinney, 50, was arrested by Portland police shortly after 6:30 a.m., KOIN-TV reported. Swinney is facing 12 charges stemming from a Sept. 11 indictment. According to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, the charges include fourth-degree assault, fourth-degree attempted assault, two counts of second-degree unlawful use of mace, second-degree attempted assault, three counts of an unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of second-degree assault, menacing, and pointing a firearm at another person.
Swinney is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, according to online records. His arrest comes the day after President Donald Trump told the Proud Boys to “stand back and stand by” during his first presidential debate against former Vice President Joe Biden.
The indictment, which was secret until the arrest, alleges that Swinney used a paintball gun and mace -- or a similar substance -- during demonstrations in downtown Portland on Aug. 15 and Aug. 22, The Oregonian reported.
The indictment alleges Swinney fired a paintball gun at another person during the Aug. 15 protest, injuring the victim, KOIN reported. It also alleges he pointed a revolver at someone during a pro-Trump rally on Aug. 22, according to The Oregonian.
A woman who said she was injured by a paintball shot by Swinney has filed a $250,000 lawsuit on Monday against him. In the complaint, Meg McLain said she was watching the Trump rally in the park outside of the Portland Justice Center when Swinney allegedly shot her in the chest with a paintball, KATU reported.
Swinney is named in a second, $1.25 million lawsuit, The Oregonian reported.
On Tuesday afternoon, Swinney posted on Twitter, asking for people to donate to a fund in order to help him with legal fees.
“Help me fight these people,” he tweeted. “Every retweet makes a terrorist lose his or her mind.”
Swinney’s account has since been suspended by Twitter.