April 3, 2020

Ryan Wayne Perkins receives a 60 month prison sentence for assaulting a deputy district attorney

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 32-year-old Ryan Wayne Perkins – who punched a deputy district attorney in court – received a 60 month prison sentence.

Perkins pleaded guilty to one count of assault in the fourth degree, one count of escape in the second degree, one count of distributing a controlled substance – methamphetamine, one count of attempted unlawful use of a vehicle, and one count of robbery in the third degree.

On August 1, 2019, a jury unanimously convicted Perkins of one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of aggravated theft in the first degree, one count of felony computer crime, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. 

During the polling of the jury, Perkins stood up, ran past his defense attorney and used his fist to punch a Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney in the head approximately four times.

Perkins then laid on the ground as a Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputy pointed his electrical stun gun toward Perkins to gain control of the situation.

By pleading guilty, Perkins admitted that he knowingly caused physical injury to another person and that he used physical force during an attempt to escape from custody.

The attempted unlawful use of a vehicle, distribution of a controlled substance and robbery offenses that Perkins pleaded guilty to are for separate prior criminal conduct.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and the Portland Police Bureau for their assistance and dedicated efforts investigating this case.

COVID-19 Notice:

The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.

For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director 
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us