A woman from Happy Valley, Oregon, appeared in federal court following allegations that she assaulted a Federal Protective Service (FPS) officer during a traffic stop. Melanie Breeanne Rivas, 25, faces charges of Assault on a Federal Officer.
Court documents state that on October 29, 2025, an FPS officer observed Rivas engaging in aggressive driving behavior. The officer reported that Rivas repeatedly turned her vehicle toward his marked patrol car and made offensive gestures. She then cut off the officer by moving into the right lane and repeatedly braking sharply in front of him for more than four miles. Attempts by the officer to change lanes were met with Rivas repositioning her vehicle to block him and continuing to brake abruptly.
The situation escalated when the officer initiated a traffic stop. After being asked to exit her vehicle, Rivas refused and instead reached for items in her center console. When she eventually exited the vehicle, she ignored further commands from the officer. As he attempted to handcuff her, Rivas allegedly punched him in the face.
Rivas had her initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released pending further proceedings.
The case is under investigation by the FPS and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
“A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” according to officials.
