July 19, 2021
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Cyan Bass received a 48-month prison sentence after being convicted of one count of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, one count of Arson in the First Degree, Attempted Assault in the First Degree, one count of Unlawful Possession of an Explosive Device and one count of riot. Bass pleaded guilty to all charges prior to conviction and sentencing.
By pleading guilty, Bass admitted to unlawfully, knowingly, and intentionally damaging property valued over $1,000, damaging protected property by setting a fire, attempting to cause serious physical injury to another person by means of a dangerous weapon, possessing a destructive device, and engaging in tumultuous and violent conduct with more than five people.
According to information presented in court, there was a protest that escalated to violence on September 23, 2020. Cyan Bass and his co-defendant Hannah Lilly were involved in the violence.
During the course of the riot, Bass used a wrist rocket slingshot to damage multiple windows in the Justice Center and then used a flammable liquid to set the building on fire. The fire and damaged windows resulted in more than $46,000 of damage. When police moved forward to disperse the riot and put out the fire Bass ran into the area of Chapman and Lownsdale Square. Bass then ignited a Molotov cocktail and threw it in the direction of police officers.
In requesting that the court impose the agreed upon sentence, Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said, “These violent actions endangered the lives and safety of those inside of the Justice Center and the officers present that night. These criminal actions do not reflect the values of this community and will not be tolerated.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to recognize and thank the following agencies for their assistance with the investigation and prosecution of this case: Portland Police Bureau, PPB Detective Meredith Hopper, Portland Fire Bureau, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Contact:
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
eth.shepard@mcda.us">Elisabeth.shepard@mcda.us
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PORTLAND, Ore. – Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced today that a Multnomah County grand jury declined to impose criminal charges on Gresham Police Officer James Doyle for the fatal shooting of Israel Mark Berry.
On the evening of May 31, 2020, Gresham Police officers were providing mutual aid in the City of Portland while Portland Police managed several large demonstrations. Around 9:30 p.m., Gresham Police Officer Doyle and several Portland Police officers responded jointly to a call of a disturbance in the 12400 block of Southeast Kelly Street in Portland involving a man reported to be engaging in threatening behavior. The man was later identified as Mr. Berry. Body-worn camera footage and other evidence showed that Officer Doyle shot at Mr. Berry as he drove his vehicle toward Officer Doyle, and Mr. Berry was hit and killed by one of those rounds.
Officer Doyle was hired by the Gresham Police Department in 2018. At the time of the shooting, he had more than two years of law enforcement experience. Officer Doyle has remained on paid administrative leave during the pendency of this case.
In March 2021, District Attorney Schmidt appointed Samuel Kauffman, who works as a criminal defense attorney in private practice, as an outside co-lead prosecutor on the case. Mr. Kauffman has worked as a criminal defense attorney in state and federal court and has more than 25 years of experience in criminal defense. Mr. Kauffman’s appointment to assist with the grand jury process was a step rarely, if ever, taken in Multnomah County’s history. Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt and Deputy District Attorney Kelley Rhoades worked collaboratively with Mr. Kauffman in presenting the matter to the grand jury.
“My office takes the work of presenting facts and evidence to a grand jury very seriously, and never more so than when the case concerns an allegation of an excessive use of force by law enforcement,” said District Attorney Schmidt. “In this case, after considering all evidence, the grand jury determined that Officer Doyle’s conduct was lawful under the circumstances. We respect that decision, and thank the jury for its careful and thorough deliberation.”
“I would also like to thank attorney Samuel Kauffman for his work as a special prosecutor on this matter. Justice requires both objectivity and transparency of process, and it is my hope that his willingness to work alongside my office as an objective outside legal expert will provide the community with additional assurance that this matter was thoroughly and fairly handled.”
“I do wish to acknowledge the pain and grief of Mr. Berry’s family and loved ones. I am sorry for your loss.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is seeking the release of the grand jury transcripts in this case pursuant to ORS 132.270(3)(a)(A) because the public interest outweighs the need to maintain the secrecy of the grand jury proceedings. A motion for the release will be filed with the court. Under Oregon law, the involved officer’s attorney has 10 days after receiving the motion to file a motion for a protective order. If the court grants the District Attorney’s motion, the transcripts will be published on the Multnomah County District Attorney’s public website.
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June 25, 2021
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DA Mike Schmidt announces 20-year prison sentence in child sexual abuse case
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Jose Luiz Monje-Reyez received a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero prosecuted this case. Julie Jacobs served as the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Victim Advocate.
This investigation started on June 15, 2019 when the survivor contacted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and disclosed many years of repeated sexual abuse that occurred when she was a child. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office forwarded the reports to the Portland Police Bureau after determining the abuse occurred in Portland, Oregon.
Portland Police Bureau Detective Rachel Baer, Detective Matt Estes (retired) and Detective Chris Yrizarry (now with Tigard Police) started looking into the allegations. Working with Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marerro, the investigative team learned that the statute of limitations was quickly approaching.
Working together, the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office provided the survivor services and support.
The case was indicted the day before the statute of limitations would have expired.
Had it not been for the survivor’s disclosure and the quick and detailed investigative work of law enforcement, this case may not have been prosecuted.
On June 22, 2021, the survivor attended Monje-Reyez’ sentencing hearing with the support of family, law enforcement and the district attorney’s office.
The survivor read an impact statement at sentencing that talked about the lifetime of trauma and post-traumatic stress associated with the repeated sexual abuse. She told the court that Monje-Reyez stole her childhood—leaving behind devastating memories. The survivor also spoke about how sexual abuse can lead to self-harm and shared powerful and personal experiences.
The survivor has given the district attorney’s office permission to share an excerpt from her impact statement:
“I bet [Jose Luiz Monje-Reyez] never imagined that a tortured, innocent and [ingenuous] little girl would one day grow up to be a strong, fearless, wise and determined woman. Despite the damage that he caused, I was able to take care of a newborn, work, volunteer and attend college full time to get my Bachelors of Science of Nursing degree from the University of Portland promptly out of high school. I got into nursing by accident, but now I know why – it was destiny. Nursing has taught me so much and in turn have been able to pass it on to others in need. Nursing has taught me strength, resilience, justice, greater determination, advocacy, perseverance, compassion, empathy, kindness, love, protection and most importantly hope! What [Jose Luiz Monje-Reyez] did cannot be undone, but with him in prison – more children and women will be saved from having to endure what I did. And that is a win on my end. … As a nurse, mother, sister and survivor…I will begin healing once more because I GOT THIS!”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks Portland Police Bureau Detective Rachel Baer, Detective Matt Estes (retired) and Detective Chris Yrizarry (now with Tigard Police) for their dedicated efforts investigating this case.
The impacts of sexual assault are long-lasting. Regardless of how long it’s been since a sexual assault, support, care and advocacy are still available. If a survivor has questions about seeking care or reporting abuse, please reach out to law enforcement, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Victim’s Assistance Program or the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
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