July 19, 2019

Donovan Flippo pleads guilty to assaulting a man in NE Portland, receives jail and probation sentence

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 24-year-old Donovan Flippo pleaded guilty and received a sentence that includes jail time, probation and a specific court order that while on probation, he not participate in any mass demonstration within Multnomah County after he assaulted a man in northeast Portland last summer.

“This case is about holding people accountable who commit crimes and I believe this sentence will do that,” said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, who prosecuted this case. “This sentence is appropriate when you look at other similarly situated individuals, which is something we must consider when reviewing, issuing and resolving any case.”

During the pendency of this case, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office frequently communicated with the victim to keep him updated. The victim was fully informed about the pretrial process and all pretrial negotiations. Prior to the change of plea hearing and sentencing, the victim communicated to our office his full support of the pretrial agreement.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Karin J. Immergut accepted Flippo’s change of plea and convicted him of one count of assault in the fourth degree.

Judge Immergut sentenced Flippo to eight days in jail, 24 months of formal probation and 40 hours of community service, which must be completed within six months. While on probation, Flippo will not be allowed to partake in any demonstration with more than 50 participants in Multnomah County and will not be allowed to have any contact with the victim.

This investigation started on July 12, 2018 when the victim reported to Portland Police that on June 8, 2018 he was assaulted at the intersection of Northeast 12th Avenue and Northeast Broadway Street in Portland, Oregon.

The victim told police that as he crossed south on Northeast 12th Avenue, he saw a truck stopped at the red light. The vehicle was headed west on Northeast Broadway Street. Flippo was a passenger of that vehicle.

The victim told police that some of the occupants of the vehicle were shouting politically-based comments. The victim told police that he recognized Flippo as a passenger inside the vehicle and as someone who attends political demonstrations in Portland, Oregon.

During the investigation, police learned that the victim yelled back to the occupants of the vehicle. Upon doing so, Flippo exited the vehicle. There was a brief verbal altercation that resulted in the victim being physically assaulted.

The victim received multiple stitches to his lip as a result of the injuries he sustained. He was also treated for a concussion.

By pleading guilty, Flippo is admitting that he unlawfully and recklessly caused physical injury to the victim. If he violates his probation, Flippo could be sentenced up to a year in custody.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is unable to release any additional details about this case at this time. Copies of the police reports and any other associated material, such as photos and/or video, are exempt from public release at this time under ORS 192.345 (3) because of pending criminal litigation that does not involve Flippo but stems from the same criminal conduct.  

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us