Man Convicted Under Oregon Hate Crime Statutes After Threatening Muslim Couple In Northeast Portland -04/11/18

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that Fredrick Harmes (who also uses the last name of “Sorrell”) pleaded no contest to two counts of second-degree intimidation.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Souede found Harmes’ change of pleas to be knowingly and voluntarily. Judge Souede accepted the no contest pleas and convicted Harmes.

This case is a result of an incident that occurred on May 29, 2017 when Alekzandr Wray and his wife Jaminah Shannon were driving in Northeast Portland in the afternoon when the defendant pulled up next to them in a van.

According to court documents, Harmes, through an open driver window, made several comments about Ms. Shannon’s attire and used explicit language to tell her to take off her Niqab and a Hijab. Harmes told both Mr. Wray and Ms. Shannon to go back to their own country. While legally it does not matter, Mr. Wray stated in court both he and his wife were born and raised in the United States of America. The defendant repeatedly called the victims “terrorists,” according to court documents.

The victims in this case told Portland Police that Harmes’ actions caused them to become frightened for their safety. As they slowed down to let the defendant pass their vehicle, Harmes slowed his vehicle too, keeping pace with them for several blocks while continuing to yell and at times swerving his vehicle towards the victims’ vehicle.

According to court documents, while stopped at a red light near the intersection of Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Glisan Street, the defendant hung out his window and used both hands to mimic, in a very demonstrative fashion, shooting a gun at the victims.

Harmes “shot” at Mr. Wray and Ms. Shannon again using his finger gestures. He then proceeded to move to a position in his vehicle, which was out of their sight. The victims told police that they believed he may have been reaching for a real gun.

Harmes was arrested on July 7, 2017.

Judge Souede allowed the victims to address the court after Harmes changed his pleas. Both Mr. Wray and Ms. Shannon told the court about the emotional impact Harmes had on them, their family and the Muslim community.

Sentencing for Harmes will resume on May 18, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Souede.

The maximum sentence for a single count conviction of second-degree intimidation is 364 days in jail and/or a fine of $6,250.

 

##MCDA##

 

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Phone: 503.988.6567

Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us