January 13, 2020
Two men involved in May 1, 2019 riot convicted, receive probation sentences
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 38-year-old Christopher Ponte and 24-year-old Matthew Cooper were convicted of participating in a riot on May 1, 2019 in Northeast Portland’s Kerns neighborhood.
Both individuals changed their pleas and were convicted of one count of riot, a Class C felony.
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Court imposed sentence for State v. Cooper (Judge Angela Franco Lucero) |
Court imposed sentence for State v. Ponte (Judge Katharine von Ter Stegge) |
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The state requested a 10 day jail sentence for both Cooper and Ponte because the conduct they were involved in “fanned the violence, tension and the volatility of this situation, thereby escalating and keeping the riot going,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Sean Hughey who prosecuted this case along with Deputy District Attorney Brad Kalbaugh.
According to court documents, on the evening of May 1, 2019, Portland Police received information about a large disturbance occurring outside a business called “Cider Riot.” The disturbance came hours after several demonstrations and marches unfolded throughout the city. Those involved in some of the demonstrations included individuals with opposing political views.
When police responded to “Cider Riot” they observed approximately 15 individuals arguing with about 50 other individuals, according to court documents. Law enforcement knew, based on their training and experience, that the two groups had opposing views and had a history of being violent with each other.
During the riot, a woman was knocked unconscious by a person wielding a metal baton. Law enforcement later arrested 45-year-old Ian Kramer in connection with the attack.
During the investigation, detectives assigned to the Portland Police Bureau identified 36-year-old Joseph Gibson, 45-year-old Russell Schultz, 29-year-old Mackenzie Lewis, Kramer, Cooper and Ponte as individuals actively participating and engaging in violent and tumultuous conduct, according to court documents.
The conviction means that Cooper and Ponte are no longer disputing that on May 1, 2019 they – along with five or more others – engaged in tumultuous and violent conduct and thereby intentionally or recklessly created a grave risk of causing public alarm.
The charging documents filed against Gibson, Schultz, Lewis and Kramer are only accusations. They all remain innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Portland Police Bureau.
Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.
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.
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Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us