After weeks of public outcry and pressure on local officials, Seattle Police have arrested and charged Jeremy Calvin Lawson, 33, for the brutal assault on independent journalist Cam Higby during a June 14 anti-ICE protest outside the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle.
Antifa militant finally charged with assault over brutal attack on journalist @camhigby at Seattle anti-ICE riot
“We were just in shock. You can attack someone in Seattle and as long as it’s not a felony, it’s basically a free pass.” pic.twitter.com/Zd12aUAEw3
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) July 21, 2025
Lawson, who goes by the alias “Jack Rack” and is known for his affiliation with Antifa, was taken into custody by SPD’s Community Response Group in Sultan, Washington, while reportedly boarding a raft with friends and beer. He has been charged with felony second-degree assault and is currently being held at the King County Jail with bail set at $75,000.
Cam Higby, who joined Talk Radio 570 KVI live in studio following a court appearance, confirmed that prosecutors formally charged Lawson this week. “They finally got him,” Higby said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
A Delayed Arrest Despite Video Evidence
The arrest follows nearly five weeks of frustration among journalists and the public. Higby was assaulted in broad daylight during the “No Kings” protest, a nationwide left-wing demonstration against President Donald Trump and ICE, with video footage clearly showing Lawson attacking him.
Despite being identified within 24 hours of the assault, it took until July 16 for SPD to arrest Lawson. Higby revealed during the KVI interview that he and others had repeatedly pressed the Seattle Police Department and the King County Prosecutor’s Office for updates.
“The police worked really hard on this case,” Higby said. “But there’s a huge gray area in Seattle where the prosecutor won’t take cases if they’re related to protests—even if it’s violent. I was told directly by an officer that they don’t prosecute misdemeanors tied to protests.”
While the crime was eventually upgraded to felony assault, Higby and other journalists had to push for the case to be assigned to a detective. “We were just in shock. You can attack someone in Seattle and as long as it’s not a felony, it’s basically a free pass,” he added.
Inside the Assault
Higby recounted the night of the attack, where he was covering demonstrations that turned increasingly chaotic. Rioters blocked streets with Bird scooters, demanded drivers chant anti-ICE slogans, and allegedly lit fires under vehicles and launched fireworks.
“They told people they couldn’t pass unless they said ‘F-ICE,’ and if not, they got fire set under their cars or things thrown at them,” Higby said.
When the crowd started to thin out, Higby—undercover and wearing a gas mask—sat near the federal building. That’s when Jeremy Lawson and others recognized him. “I was pinned to the wall, punched, choked from behind, and kicked in the face,” Higby said.
He managed to deploy pepper spray in self-defense, which appeared to end the attack. Lawson was seen in the video crying on the ground after being sprayed.
Threats, Intimidation, and a Gun Purchase Attempt
Since the incident, Higby says Lawson has continued harassing him through text messages, including using his legal name—information not publicly available—and even referencing his home address. Higby said one message was sent the exact day his temporary protection order against Lawson expired.
“I got a text with all my personal information: my hometown, current address, even family members. It came from a burner phone tied to a fake business in Louisiana,” Higby said. “That same day, my protection order expired.”
Adding to the concern, prosecutors revealed that Lawson attempted to purchase a firearm during the time he was allegedly sending threatening messages. The judge has since issued a no-contact order barring Lawson from any communication with Higby during the proceedings.
Additionally, online accounts that had mirrored the text threats to Higby went silent the day Lawson was arrested, strengthening the suspicion that Lawson was behind both.
Extensive Criminal Record and Radical Ties
Court documents and SPD statements note that Lawson has a lengthy criminal record, including prior arrests for assault, burglary, resisting arrest, and drug possession. Video footage from June 14 also allegedly shows Lawson setting fires in the streets.
His social media profiles are filled with anti-police rhetoric and radical leftist messaging. He has a tattoo of “ACAB,” an acronym used by Antifa meaning “All Cops Are Bastards.”
Ongoing Investigation and Pressure on Prosecutors
Higby and others continue to pressure Seattle Police and the King County Prosecutor’s Office to take action against others involved in the June 14 riot. At least one additional suspect has been named in court documents, but no further arrests have been made.
“This isn’t just about me,” Higby said. “It’s about what kind of city Seattle wants to be. If you can beat someone in the street and threaten them for weeks and not get arrested, what message does that send?”
