September 25, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 21-year-old Sophia Paige Kalsta-Watkins is being charged with arson in the first degree and is accused of intentionally causing damage to protected property.
This investigation started on September 24, 2020 when law enforcement monitored a mass gathering in the area of the Portland Police Association, located in the 1800 block of North Lombard Street.
It is alleged that law enforcement observed a person, later identified as Kalsta-Watkins, set fire to the wooden boards that lined the building’s exterior.
Law enforcement arrested Kalsta-Watkins near the intersection of North Lombard Street and North Campbell Avenue and located a lighter and a spray paint can in her belongings, according to court documents.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Kalsta-Watkins is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 25, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 40-year-old Brett Cunningham is being charged for allegedly being in possession of and duplicating child pornography.
This investigation started in April 2020 when the Oregon Department of Justice received a cybertip from an internet company that discovered one of its users possibly uploading images of child pornography.
In May 2020, the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant and recovered electronic media that was then submitted for forensic evaluation.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned Cunningham is a licensed teacher in the State of Oregon and that he worked most recently at an elementary school in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Given Cunningham’s access to children, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is requesting public assistance with this investigation. Anyone with information should contact Oregon Department of Justice Special Agent Tyler McCourt at 503-934-1107.
On September 21, 2020, a Multnomah County grand jury indicted Cunningham.
Cunningham is charged with two counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree and eight counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the second degree.
None of the charges against Cunningham allege physical contact with a minor.
On September 24, 2020, Cunningham appeared by phone in Multnomah County Circuit Court for an arraignment. The state did not oppose the court authorizing Cunningham remain out of custody pending trial.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Cunningham is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 24, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt is providing the community with an update following an unlawful assembly and riot that occurred in downtown on September 23, 2020.
During the night of September 23rd, multiple Molotov cocktails were thrown at police. One exploded near the intersection of Southwest 2nd Avenue and Southwest Main Street. The resulting explosion caused a Portland Police officer’s boot to catch fire. Law enforcement continues to conduct investigative follow up to determine exactly who threw the Molotov cocktail from this incident.
The facts, as alleged in court documents, follows the list of charges for each defendant.
Joseph Sipe, 23, is being charged with one count of riot and one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device. It is alleged that law enforcement saw Sipe light the wick of a Molotov cocktail and then throw the object near the intersection of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Main Street. Sipe later admitted during a police interview that he lit a Molotov cocktail and threw the device behind a line of uniformed police officers as they moved along Southwest Main Street.
Cyan Bass, 21, is charged with one count of riot, two counts of arson in the first degree, one count of attempted assault in the first degree, one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device, one count of attempted assault of a public safety officer and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. It is alleged that law enforcement observed Bass squirt a substance onto the main doors of the Portland Police Bureau’s Central Precinct and then set them on fire. Law enforcement also observed Bass squirting an accelerant onto a boarded up section of PPB’s Central Precinct's north-facing façade, igniting the accelerant and thereby causing a fire. Finally, law enforcement witnessed Bass holding an object with a wick, lighting the object on fire and then throwing the flaming object toward uniformed police officers. The device did not explode.
Calvin Jackson, 19, is charged with one count of felony riot and one count of criminal mischief in the second degree. It is alleged that law enforcement observed Jackson throwing rocks at the Portland Police Bureau's Central Precinct windows and thereby causing damage. During a police interview, Jackson admitted that he witnessed other people throwing rocks towards police headquarters, admitted to doing so himself and acknowledged that one of the rocks he threw broke the window. During the investigation law enforcement learned someone else brought the rocks in a backpack and dropped them on the ground, which is when people started picking up rocks and throwing them.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Sipe, Bass and Jackson are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 24, 2020
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt released the following statement:
“The controversial charging decision in the Breonna Taylor case has re-opened wounds across our nation, and here locally, by highlighting the glaring inequities entrenched within our criminal justice system. As Multnomah County District Attorney, I continue to dedicate myself to the work of reform.
I am also alarmed and angry after witnessing the violence in downtown Portland on Wednesday night. What started as a peaceful gathering to support the family of Breonna Taylor was overtaken by people who engaged in dangerous and criminal behavior. I am thankful that no Portland police officers or Portland firefighters were injured after a flaming object was thrown and then exploded just inches away from them. There is no justification for a person to ever throw an incendiary device, to set fire to buildings or to engage in other violent and destructive behavior.
I stand against hate and violence. Neither promotes the reform that is being demanded in our community and across the country. My office will always support and defend the right to free speech and the right to peacefully assemble, and we will always condemn violence.
This is a challenging time for our nation and our community locally. This is a time for us to support free speech and to promote public safety. On Saturday, there will likely be two large gatherings in North Portland. It is never acceptable to engage in violent or destructive behavior. We have already seen too much violence, harm and even death during past demonstrations. For those who are thinking about traveling to Oregon to engage in criminal conduct – our message is clear: Stay away. For people who attend the events: Leave your weapons behind. Don’t give someone who wants to promote violence a platform by engaging with them.
Let’s remember at the end of the day that we are all human with families and friends. We will not always agree, but disagreement on political and societal issues will not be resolved by violence in our streets. Let’s resolve our issues safely and peacefully through dialogue and voting."
September 22, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 31-year-old Jonathan Creswell is being charged with one count of murder in the second degree constituting domestic violence and one count of unlawful use of a weapon constituting domestic violence.
Although the name of the victim may be known to media, the district attorney’s office is requesting that they refrain from publishing or broadcasting it until family notifications can be made. When the victim’s family is notified, an update will be provided by either this office or the Portland Police Bureau.
This investigation started on September 21, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. when Portland Police responded to the 8400 block of North Interstate Place on reports of a stabbing.
It is alleged that Creswell used a knife to intentionally cause the death of the victim.
The probable cause affidavit in this case remains sealed pursuant to a judge’s ruling.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
If anyone has information about the stabbing and has not been contacted by investigators, they are asked to contact the Detective Shaye Samora at 503.823.0768 or Detective Rico Beniga at 503-823-0457.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Creswell is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 22, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 34-year-old Stacy Curtiss received a 300 month prison sentence after being convicted of committing sex crimes involving a child.
Curtiss pleaded guilty to one count of sodomy in the first degree, one count of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct, one count of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree, one count of encouraging the sexual abuse of an animal and two counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the first degree.
By pleading guilty, Curtiss admitted that he subjected a child, who was under the age of 12, to sexual contact and that he knowingly engaged in sexual intercourse with the child on multiple occasions; that he was in possession of and duplicated multiple visual recordings of sexually explicit conduct involving a child and disregarded the fact that the images involved child abuse; and that for the purposes of satisfying sexual desires, he was in possession of a visual recording of a person engaged in sexual conduct with an animal.
“It is heart wrenching to recount the explicit abuse and trauma Stacy Curtiss inflicted upon a child,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney BJ Park, who prosecuted this case. “These heinous acts against children can result in devastating and lifelong trauma. Our office continues to help survivors of sexual abuse so they are empowered to step out from the shadow of abuse and trauma.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the work of Portland Police Bureau Detective Jennifer Musser and Detective Nathan Tobey for their dedicated efforts investigating this case. We also recognize District Attorney Victim Advocate Malia Bruni for the support and advocacy she provided to the victim and her family throughout the case.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 21, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 31-year-old Donald Beckwith is being charged with the murder of 29-year-old LaSalle Jamal Shakier.
Beckwith is charged with one count of murder in the second degree with a firearm and one count of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.
According to court documents, Beckwith is accused of unlawfully and intentionally causing the death of Shakier with a firearm.
As previously released by the Portland Police Bureau, this investigation started on September 9, 2020 at approximately 7 a.m. when officers responded to a reported shooting in the 6600 block of Northeast Columbia Boulevard.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner determined the cause of Shakier's death to be a gunshot wound and the manner of death a homicide.
On September 18, 2020, law enforcement booked Beckwith into the Multnomah County Detention Center after the United States Marshal’s Service located him in Fossil, Oregon.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Beckwith is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 19, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 27-year-old Dorian Malone-Dews is being charged with manslaughter in the second degree, among other charges, for recklessly causing the death of another person.
Malone-Dews is charged with one count of manslaughter in the second degree, one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants, one count of assault in the third degree, one count of reckless driving, one count of assault in the fourth degree, and one count of failing to perform the duties of a driver.
This investigation started on July 22, 2020 at approximately 10:30 p.m. when Portland Police officers assigned to the Major Crash Team responded to the intersection of Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Stark Street to investigate a fatal crash.
Officers arrived and located Malone-Dews injured inside a vehicle seated in the driver seat, a front seat passenger and a passenger in the back seat. Paramedics transported Malone-Dews and the front seat passenger to the hospital. At the hospital, it was reported that the front seat passenger suffered paralysis from the waist down.
The back seat passenger, Julie Dunlap, died on scene.
According to court documents: During the investigation, law enforcement determined Malone-Dews, while impaired, drove a vehicle northbound on Southeast 122nd Avenue. He collided into the passenger side of a vehicle traveling eastbound on Southeast Stark Street. That initial impact pushed the second vehicle into a third vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle later reported having a concussion, tightness in his neck, and cuts and bruises all over his body. The driver of the third vehicle was not injured.
Law enforcement also determined that prior to the crash, there was an initial two vehicle crash just south of the final crime scene at Southeast 122nd Avenue and Southeast Salmon Street. There, police learned a vehicle traveling northbound on Southeast 122nd Avenue collided into the back tire of a second northbound vehicle, leaving it immobile after impact. The suspect vehicle failed to immediately stop after the collision and continued northbound. Police determined after being involved in the crash at Southeast Salmon Street, the vehicle, driven by Malone-Dews, ultimately crashed at Southeast Stark Street.
At the hospital, police learned Malone-Dews had a blood alcohol content of 0.192%, according to court documents. Malone-Dews denied having anything to drink but said he was taking pain medicine following a recent medical procedure.
On September 17, 2020, Malone-Dews turned himself into the Portland Police Bureau.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Malone-Dews is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 17, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 28-year-old Alex Delane Alexander is being charged with causing the death of 60-year-old Lavoy Blackledge.
Alexander is charged with one count of manslaughter in the first degree, one count of manslaughter in the second degree and one count of assault in the second degree.
This investigation started on August 21, 2019 when patrol officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau located a body on the sidewalk near the intersection of Southwest 21st Avenue and Southwest Barbur Boulevard.
On August 28, 2019, the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Mr. Blackledge died of homicidal violence. The determination came after an autopsy and review of additional facts collected by the Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Detail during its initial death investigation.
It is alleged that Alexander caused serious physical injury to Mr. Blackledge and that he recklessly, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, caused the death of Mr. Blackledge.
On August 28, 2020 a Multnomah County grand jury returned an indictment against Alexander. Subsequent to that decision, an arrest warrant was issued.
On September 16, 2020 Alexander turned himself into Portland Police.
Mr. Blackledge’s family has been notified of the developments in this case and they expressed their gratitude to the Portland Police Bureau.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Alexander is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 16, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 28-year-old Kason O'Connor is being charged for shining a green laser light directly into the eyes of two officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau during a protest.
O’Connor is charged with two counts of unlawful directing of light from a laser pointer.
This investigation started July 13, 2020 at approximately 11:55 p.m. when officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team were in the area of North Lombard and North Campbell Avenue near the Portland Police Association. Police declared an unlawful assembly because members in the group started throwing objects at law enforcement.
One of the victims reported seeing someone in the crowd, later identified as O'Connor, wearing distinctive clothing and reported seeing O'Connor shine a green laser light directly into his eyes as well as the eyes of a second officer, according to court documents.
When law enforcement when to take O’Connor into custody O'Connor initially ran from officers but was complaint when police made contact, according to court documents.
O'Connor also uses the names of “Kason Ralph” and “Kourtni Aliesha Pierson”
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. O'Connor is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 16, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 50-year-old Christopher Joseph Babb is charged with felony riot, among other charges, after throwing an object toward an officer assigned to the Portland Police Bureau during an unlawful assembly.
Babb is charged with one count of riot, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of interfering with a peace officer.
This investigation started on August 31, 2020 and continued into the next day when Portland Police responded to a demonstration near the intersection of Northwest 11th Avenue and Northwest Glisan Street. Approximately 200 people gathered in the area. Some individuals damaged property and started a fire inside a privately owned business. Law enforcement declared a riot and ordered the crowd to disperse.
As the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team gathered objects including glass bottles, full beverage cans, balloons filled with paint and large rocks were thrown at the officers, according to court documents.
In response, officers engaged with the crowd in an attempt to stop objects from being thrown at them, according to court documents.
An officer ran toward a person, later identified as Babb, and knocked Babb down when Babb refused to disperse, according to court documents. The officer involved in that incident continued past Babb.
A second PPB officer reported seeing Babb “spring up and throw a projectile” toward the officer who had passed, according to court documents. Based on the flight path of the object and its velocity, the witness officer reported the object thrown was capable of causing an injury to a human target, according to court documents.
The unknown object that was thrown missed the officer.
Police arrested Babb. During their arrest they found Babb to be in possession of a metal collapsible baton.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Babb is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 15, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that a grand jury indicted 36-year-old Bryan Kelley for allegedly shining a high-powered laser into the eye of a Portland Police Bureau sergeant during a protest and causing an injury.
Kelley is charged with one count of assault in the second degree, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of unlawful directing of light from a laser pointer.
The indictment accuses Kelley of using the laser pointer as a dangerous weapon to unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly causing physical injury to a person he knew to be a police officer.
This investigation started during a mass demonstration on August 25 that continued into the morning of August 26, 2020. The Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team responded to a demonstration that targeted Portland City Hall. Protestors broke into and started vandalizing the building.
While attempting to clear the streets and clear out city hall, police declared an unlawful assembly.
The victim, a PPB sergeant, saw Kelley on multiple occasions aiming a blue laser into the eyes of officers, according to court documents.
Furthermore, the victim reported that Kelley’s laser hit him in the eyes several times and that he had to look away due to the intensity of the laser, court documents state.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and Portland Police Bureau’s Detective Division worked jointly to determine the strength of the laser and the extent of the victim’s injury. Law enforcement found the laser was so powerful that it would burn through paper and cause dry material to catch fire, according to court documents.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Kelley is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 10, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 35-year-old Jacob Flynn Stebbins received a 150 month prison sentence after being convicted of sex crimes involving a minor.
Stebbins pleaded guilty to one count of sodomy in the third degree, one count of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm, one count of strangulation, two counts of rape in the third degree and one count of attempted use of a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct.
This investigation started in March of 2019 when the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team learned Stebbins had sexual contact with the minor victim. Investigators later learned that the abuse in this case occurred in the summer of 2018.
“Protecting children and providing services and support to them and their family is a priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team. The trauma that results from child sexual, physical and mental abuse can manifest itself throughout a child’s life and can have damaging lifelong impacts into adulthood. Multnomah County is proud to have so many skilled and committed partners who are dedicated to identifying, reporting and assessing child sexual abuse and to then provide the child victim with treatment,” said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell, who prosecuted this case.
By pleading guilty, Stebbins admitted that he used force and a firearm to have sexual contact with the victim; that he choked her and that he attempted to intentionally take an image of the victim in a state of nudity.
At the time of the abuse the victim was under the age of 16.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office asks media to refrain from contacting the victim or her family.
It was through the coordination, communication and collaboration of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team that this case was investigated and prosecuted.
The Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team includes representatives from CARES Northwest, local law enforcement, public schools, hospitals, health departments, local mental health service providers, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and Multnomah County’s Department of Community Justice.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team works with community partners to protect children who have been abused and neglected while ensuring that all practices are trauma-informed and mitigate the life-long consequences of child abuse. The team also handles child homicides, felony child physical abuse cases, felony child abandonment cases, custodial interference cases, and felony sex crimes where the victim is currently under the age of 18 and where the suspect is determined not to be a stranger to the child.
CARES Northwest, Multnomah County’s child abuse assessment center, is a community-based medical program for the assessment, treatment and prevention of child abuse. The organization is one of the largest child abuse assessment centers in the nation and serves more than 5,000 children annually.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that nine people, in separate criminal cases, have been charged in connection with unlawful activity that allegedly occurred during recent mass demonstrations in Portland.
A list of all nine defendants and the charges they face is included immediately below this paragraph. The facts, as alleged in court documents, for each defendant starts after the list of names and charges.
State v. Laurielle Aviles: It is alleged that on July 3, 2020, at approximately 1:04 a.m., Portland Police declared a riot near Southwest Broadway and Southwest Main Street after individuals in the crowd started to launch firework mortars at the Gus J. Solomon U.S. Courthouse as well as throwing rocks at law enforcement. Police arrested an individual from the crowd. Aviles, a person in the crowd, is accused of trying to pull the arrestee from police. When the arresting officer would not let go of his custody, Aviles is accused of punching the officer in the face.
State v. Brian Scherner: It is alleged that on September 4, 2020, Portland Police declared an unlawful assembly in the area of North Lombard and North Campbell Avenue. Police gave dispersal orders to the crowd. An officer saw a person pick up an object, lean back and prepared to throw the object toward police. The officer immediately ran up to the person and placed the individual under arrest. A group of people then surrounded the officer during the arrest process. The group pushed and pulled the officer from the arrestee who then got up and ran away. The officer recognized Scherner as one of the individuals who allegedly pushed her. Police arrested Scherner without further incident.
State v. Elizabeth Elder: It is alleged that on September 5, 2020, during a declared unlawful assembly, Elder attempted to cause physical injury to a person she knew to be a police officer.
State v. Evan Burchfield: It is alleged that on September 5, 2020, Portland Police declared a gathering near Ventura Park an unlawful assembly after individuals in the crowd started throwing multiple items including Molotov cocktails, frozen water bottles and rocks toward police. Officers reported seeing a group of approximately eight people standing a short distance away. Approximately six individuals held shields facing the officers and would not disperse. The group continued to face and move towards officers. When police approached the group, it is alleged that a person holding a wooden shield, later identified as Burchfield pulled his shield back, lifted it with both hands and threw it at an officer who stood about two feet away. The bottom of the shield hit the officer in the face. The officer’s full face shield protected him from injury. Burchfield is accused of then running away. Officers later arrested him without further incident.
State v. Enzo Zimmerman: It is alleged that on September 5 into September 6, 2020, Portland Police declared a riot near its East Precinct and ordered all individuals to leave the area after crowd members started throwing projectiles including rocks, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails toward police. Police reported seeing a person, later identified as Zimmerman, standing in the street refusing to leave. When police attempted to arrest someone else, an officer reported that Zimmerman charged and shoved the arresting officer’s right arm and twisted his elbow in an apparent attempt to help the arrestee escape who then returned and hit the arresting officer with an unknown object until additional law enforcement arrived. Even as Zimmerman was being taken into custody, it is alleged he continued to attempt to hit and kick the arresting officer. Police took Zimmerman into custody without further incident.
State v. Ty Fox: It is alleged that on September 6, 2020, Portland Police declared a gathering near Northeast 122nd and East Burnside a riot. During this incident a, person in the crowd caught fire and was injured when a Molotov cocktail, being thrown toward police, landed nearby. Law enforcement reported identifying Fox as standing behind a group of people with shields, using a torch and lighting an incendiary device and then throwing the device toward Oregon State Police troopers. The device erupted in flames upon impact. Law enforcement later took Fox into custody without further incident.
State v. Hannah Baumann: It is alleged that on September 4, 2020, Portland Police encountered people throwing projectiles at them near the Portland Police Association’s offices in North Portland. Police gave multiple dispersal orders. As an officer attempted to arrest someone, a person later identified as Baumann, hit and kicked the arresting officer. Oregon State Police troopers intervened and took Baumann into custody without further incident.
State v. Demetrius Batchelor: It is alleged that on September 5, 2020, Portland Police stopped Batchelor, a convicted felon, driving a vehicle that he was previously seen in multiple times. During the traffic stop, police located a loaded Springfield Armory XD pistol inside the vehicle operated by Batchelor.
State v. Maurice Monson: It is alleged that on September 4, 2020, Portland Police declared an unlawful assembly near North Denver and North Lombard after people in the crowd started throwing paint balloons, glass bottles, cans of soup, and full beer cans at officers. Most of the people refused to leave the area when ordered to do so by police. Officers arrested Monson after he refused to leave the roadway. Upon arrest, police found Monson wearing body armor. He is prohibited from being in possession of body armor because of a prior robbery conviction.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will presumptively decline to prosecute cases where the most serious offenses are city ordinance violations and crimes that do not involve property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person. When an individual case presents unusual, aggravating circumstances, however, our office may prosecute the case. All other offenses, including those that allege acts of physical violence will be handled according to general office policies.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Aviles, Scherner, Elder, Burchfield, Zimmerman, Fox, Baumann, Batchelor and Monson are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
September 9, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 31-year-old Krystyna Mihalovna Solodenko is being charged with felony riot, among other charges, after allegedly throwing a shield, which hit an officer, during an unlawful assembly outside the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center.
Solodenko is charged with one count of riot, one count of attempting to assault a public safety officer and one count of interfering with a peace officer.
This investigation started on July 4, 2020 when members of the Portland Police Bureau declared an unlawful assembly in the area of Southwest 4th Avenue and Southwest Salmon Street. Approximately 500 people gathered in the space. Individuals in the crowd started throwing projectiles including fireworks toward police.
It is alleged that a person, later identified as Solodenko, ran in front of a Portland Police officer and threw a shield. The shield hit the officer’s shoulder.
The officer reported seeing Solodenko then run behind the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team and reach for a lit firework. The officer who had the shield thrown at him grabbed Solodenko by her backpack and pulled her away from the lit firework, according to court documents.
Solodenko fell to the ground and started kicking the officer in the legs, according to court documents.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Solodenko is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will presumptively decline to prosecute cases where the most serious offenses are city ordinance violations and crimes that do not involve property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person. When an individual case presents unusual, aggravating circumstances, however, our office may prosecute the case. All other offenses, including those that allege acts of physical violence will be handled according to general office policies.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 8, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 31-year-old Randal Marcus McCorkle is being charged with felony riot, among other charges, after allegedly launching a firework mortar toward police during an unlawful demonstration earlier this summer.
McCorkle is charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of riot and one count of recklessly endangering another person.
This investigation started on July 4, 2020 when law enforcement declared a riot during a mass demonstration. The Portland Police Bureau’s sound trucks made multiple announcements ordering the crowd to disperse.
According to court documents, police reported people in the crowd threw firework mortars at them as officers enforced the dispersal orders. The mortars would land near officers and detonate with a shower of sparks that had the potential to cause injury.
An officer reported seeing an individual, later identified as McCorkle holding a tube at a 45 degree angle and pointing it toward officers, according to court documents. The officer saw sparks coming from the tube and saw a firework mortar launch from the tube and fly in the direction of approaching officers.
When police contacted McCorkle they located fireworks in McCorkle’s backpack. Police arrested McCorkle without further incident.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will presumptively decline to prosecute cases where the most serious offenses are city ordinance violations and crimes that do not involve property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person. When an individual case presents unusual, aggravating circumstances, however, our office may prosecute the case. All other offenses, including those that allege acts of physical violence will be handled according to general office policies.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. McCorkle is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 8, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 35-year-old Jawad Fakhuri is being charged with felony riot, among other charges, for allegedly throwing a glass bottle toward police during an unlawful assembly and riot.
Fakhuri is charged with one count of riot (felony), one count of attempted assault of a public safety officer, one count of interfering with a peace officer and one count of disorderly conduct in the second degree.
This investigation started on September 6, 2020 when the Portland Police Bureau declared an unlawful assembly due to dangerous and destructive actions by individuals associated with the group.
Police told the crowd that they needed to leave, but many remained throwing objects and advancing towards the officers.
According to court documents, police observed someone hand a glass bottle full of green paint to a person, later identified as Fakhuri, who then threw the bottle directly at a group of officers.
The glass bottle shattered on the ground, mere feet away from several police officers, according to court documents.
Police arrested Fakhuri without further incident. According to court documents, after his arrest Fakhuri admitted that he heard the orders to disperse and refused because he thought it was just a "warm up."
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will presumptively decline to prosecute cases where the most serious offenses are city ordinance violations and crimes that do not involve property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person. When an individual case presents unusual, aggravating circumstances, however, our office may prosecute the case. All other offenses, including those that allege acts of physical violence will be handled according to general office policies.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Fakhuri is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 8, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 36-year-old Adam Layee is being charged with felony riot, among other charges, after allegedly being found in possession of a destructive device during an unlawful assembly and riot.
Layee is charged with one count of riot (felony), one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device (felony), one count of reckless burning and one count of recklessly endangering.
This investigation started on September 6, 2020 during the 102nd consecutive night of demonstrations in Portland.
During the event, a Portland police officer saw a man in a green backpack and distinctive helmet lighting a mattress on fire in the middle of the street. The officer saw other people pour flammable liquids onto the mattress, making the flames dangerously high, according to court documents.
The mattress fire occurred in the street near dry brush, houses, and stores. There was also a burn-ban in effect, due to the extremely dangerous fire conditions.
Later in the evening, police saw the same man who lit the mattresses on fire and contacted him for arrest. That person, later identified as Layee, was wearing the same clothes as previously observed by police and had a lighter, a bottle full of liquid accelerant with a built-in wick, and fireproof gloves, according to court documents.
Layee remains in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center. If released by the court, the state has requested the following pretrial conditions be imposed:
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Layee is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office will presumptively decline to prosecute cases where the most serious offenses are city ordinance violations and crimes that do not involve property damage, theft, or the use or threat of force against another person. When an individual case presents unusual, aggravating circumstances, however, our office may prosecute the case. All other offenses, including those that allege acts of physical violence will be handled according to general office policies.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 4, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt is providing an update regarding the homicide of Aaron "Jay" Danielson and is also providing court documents pertaining to Michael Forest Reinoehl, the suspect in that homicide.
"The events of Thursday night are still being investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies. We still do not have a full understanding of what led to the death of Michael Forest Reinoehl. The loss of life is tragic. It has a profound impact on families, friends and community members. The apprehension of a fugitive, in particular one under investigation for murder, is especially dangerous for law enforcement. I am thankful that no one else was injured or killed during last night's incident in Lacey, Washington, and I appreciate the coordination between law enforcement agencies throughout this investigation,” DA Mike Schmidt said.
On August 29, 2020, Portland Police responded to a shooting near the intersection of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Mr. Danielson died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
On September 3, 2020, law enforcement obtained a court-authorized arrest warrant for 48-year-old Michael Forest Reinoehl and a court-authorized search warrant for his residence.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office filed a charging instrument accusing Reinoehl of murder in the second degree with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm. Furthermore, the state was prepared to prove that Reinoehl unlawfully and intentionally, using a firearm, caused the death of Mr. Danielson.
During the search warrant execution at Reinoehl’s residence, the Portland Police Bureau recovered evidence including clothing items that matched the clothing Reinoehl wore on August 29, 2020 at the time of the homicide.
At the residence, law enforcement also located ammunition of the same caliber that matched the ballistic evidence recovered from the crime scene.
At the request of law enforcement, the court sealed the search warrant affidavit, the arrest warrant affidavit and the charging instrument in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
On September 4, 2020, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office filed a motion with the court to unseal those specific documents. The court granted the motion. Copies of the documents can be obtained by clicking here.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 4, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 36-year-old Bryan M. Kelley is being charged with felony assault after he allegedly used a high-powered laser as a weapon to shine its beam into the eyes of a sergeant assigned to the Portland Police Bureau during a mass demonstration outside city hall.
Kelley is charged with one count of assault in the second degree, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and one count of unlawful directing of light from a laser pointer.
This investigation started during a mass demonstration on August 25 that continued into the morning of August 26, 2020. The Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team responded to a demonstration that targeted Portland City Hall. The protestors broke into and started vandalizing the building.
While attempting to clear the streets and clear out city hall, police declared an unlawful assembly.
The victim, a PPB sergeant, saw Kelley on multiple occasions aiming a blue laser into the eyes of officers, according to court documents.
Furthermore, the victim reported that Kelley’s laser hit him in the eyes several times and that he had to look away due to the intensity of the laser, court documents state.
When police arrested Kelley, they located a blue laser in his back pocket, court documents state.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office requested additional follow up to determine the strength of the laser and the extent of the victim’s injury. Law enforcement found the laser was so powerful that it would burn through paper and cause dry material to catch fire, according to court documents.
Additionally, the PPB sergeant reported he had problems with his eye after being hit by the laser and that because of the laser his eyes were impaired.
As stated in court documents: Kelley, after being read his Miranda Rights, admitted that when he bought the laser it was advertised as a “burning blue laser,” and admitted he knew that the laser could damage an eye.
“When a laser pointer is used as a weapon, as alleged in this case, we will continue to take appropriate legal action. I want to thank the Portland Police Bureau for working with my office to further investigate these allegations. We remain committed to supporting peaceful demonstrations but when individuals divert and engage in violence against police officers or anyone else, we are here to hold them accountable,” said District Attorney Mike Schmidt.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Kelley is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 2, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced the filing of an indictment against 19-year-old Kceon Colbert for allegedly causing the death of Shai'India Harris.
Colbert is charged with one count of murder in the second degree with a firearm constituting domestic violence and one count of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm constituting domestic violence.
This investigation started on July 10, 2020 at approximately 12:45 p.m. when Portland Police responded to a shooting in the area of Southeast 84th Avenue and Southeast Flavel Street.
On July 14, 2020, the state obtained a court-authorized warrant for Colbert’s arrest. The affidavit remains sealed.
The United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Colbert on August 26, 2020 in Clark County, Washington.
Colbert appeared in Multnomah County Circuit Court on September 2, 2020.
“I remain very concerned about the increase in gun violence occurring in our community. In July, the City of Portland saw 15 homicides. That violence spilled over into August when we saw seven more homicides. The increase in gun violence continues to put our neighbors at risk. I am thankful and appreciative of the patrol officers and detectives of the Portland Police Bureau who are investigating these violent crimes,” said District Attorney Mike Schmidt.
No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Colbert is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
September 2, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that 36-year-old Michael Frank Moody received a 118 month prison sentence for physically assaulting a homeless woman using a baseball bat and then raping her.
At the time of these crimes, the victim lacked any local support system.
“Michael Moody was opportunistic and took full advantage of the victim’s vulnerabilities and offered to help her in early January 2019,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey, who prosecuted this case. “Instead of helping, Mr. Moody lured her to an abandoned house where he physically and sexually assaulted her and ultimately left her injured and abandoned. Mr. Moody showed a willingness to commit multiple different and distinct criminal acts against this victim during his horrific assault.”
As part of its sentencing recommendation, the state informed the court that Moody’s criminal history spans nearly 20 years, which includes seven Class A misdemeanors and five felony convictions.
“This is an important sentence as it addresses the victim’s right to justice, protects our community and holds Mr. Moody accountable for the crimes he committed. No matter a person’s circumstances in life, we all deserve protection under the law. I am proud of the work my office did to support the victim throughout this case. She was exposed to significant physical and emotional trauma, including being threatened if she proceeded to cooperate with the criminal proceedings but she remained committed to ensuring justice,” said District Attorney Mike Schmidt.
In Multnomah County, there have only been two trials, including State v. Moody, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trial required the use of two courtrooms to ensure physical distancing and public access. Other safety measures were taken during this trial to protect jurors, attorneys, court staff, Moody and community members.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the patrol officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Central Precinct who played a crucial role identifying the suspect based on a nickname. We also acknowledge and thank Portland Police Bureau Detective Matt Estes (retired) and Nathan Wollstein.
Furthermore, we recognize the work of District Attorney Victim Advocate Vanessa Palacios for the support and advocacy she provided the victim.
The victim in this case does not want media contact. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is requesting media respect her privacy and refrain from attempting to contact her.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) program provides 24- hour on-call response to victims of sexual assault in Multnomah County.
Volunteers and staff respond to all local area hospitals to provide accompaniment for forensic medical exams, crisis intervention, resource referrals and emotional support. This immediate crisis intervention service is then followed by ongoing support and advocacy throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case. The SAVA Program volunteers respond to approximately 270 sexual assault call outs each year.
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us
August 30, 2020
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt joined Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Portland Police Bureau Chief Chuck Lovell at a press conference to address the homicide that occurred in downtown on August 29, 2020. A copy of DA Schmidt’s prepared remarks are below:
“Thank you Mayor Wheeler and Chief Lovell.
Martin Luther King said: ‘We must learn to live together as Brothers or perish together as fools...’
Those words are as true today as they were when Dr. King spoke them 56 years ago in St. Louis.
I know today a lot of my neighbors in Multnomah County are fearful and hurting.
I understand that.
We are stunned and saddened.
We are angry and frustrated that this has happened in our community.
That the right— the duty even— to peacefully protest and speak out for an end to systemic racism that has plagued our country for generations has been undermined by this terrible act of violence.
But my message today to my neighbors is this: We can never allow hatred, racism, division and violence to win.
When we allow that, democracy loses.
When we allow violence and division to triumph, hope dies.
The violence that is occurring in our city needs to stop.
Far too many people have been injured and now someone has died.
Our community is being terrorized by people coming into Portland for the explicit purpose of committing violence.
That is not acceptable.
We are seeing too much tragedy across our city.
A teenager died the other night in a shooting in northeast Portland.
One woman described the blood that was everywhere in a media report.
She did what neighbors do – she used a belt as a tourniquet to try to stop it.
Hate, division, hopelessness and too many guns in the wrong hands is fueling this round of violence. It will take all of us together to stop the bleeding in our community – and in our country.
My office is working closely with the Portland Police Bureau and Mayor Wheeler to investigate last night’s shooting.
As you have heard mentioned earlier in this press conference, we need the cooperation of the public. It is vital that we find answers.
In the midst of the nightly violence, we have also seen a sudden and alarming increase in gun violence.
We know there are individuals who are intent on causing violence and property damage.
I am thankful to the officers and detectives working with Chief Lovell to investigate these crimes.
I know and expect that cases of violence will be investigated and then submitted to my office for review.
My office does not prosecute individuals based on their ideologies or affiliations with political or nonpolitical organizations.
We will initiate a criminal case following a review of all available evidence and whenever legally and ethically appropriate, pursuant to state and constitutional law.
We support freedom of speech. We support non-violent protests. We support speaking out to improve our communities.
We support standing up for each other.
What we do not support is violence.
We are in a pivotal time right now. We cannot afford to allow the calls for social justice and an end to systemic racism to be overshadowed by violence.
We cannot allow this critical moment in our history to be hijacked.
This is our community. We are strong.
We reject violence and when it occurs, my office is ready to hold offenders accountable.
Together, in Dr. King's words: ‘Let's choose to live together as Brothers and Sisters-- not perish together as fools.’
Thank you.”
#MCDA#
Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us