April 22, 2022
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
DA Mike Schmidt announces combined 75-year sentence for three co-defendants for murder
PORTLAND, Oregon – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced all three co-defendants in a shooting that occurred in 2016 have now been sentenced.
The first of the three, Charles Moi Moi, 26, pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree with a firearm and was sentenced to 400-months (just over 33-years) in prison in June of 2021. Click here for additional information.
Co-defendant Rony Celis, 30, pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree with a firearm and was sentenced to 18-years in prison on Friday, April 15, 2022.
The third co-defendant, Clayton Harrell, 25, pled guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree and Attempted Robbery in the First Degree. Defendant Harrell was sentenced to 25-years in prison today, Friday, April 22, 2022.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office also worked with members of the King County Washington District Attorney’s Office to ensure that the defendants were held accountable for the crimes they committed before traveling to Oregon. Each defendant will serve additional prison time for their Washington State crimes.
On approximately February 3, 2016, Celis, Harrell, and Moi Moi drove from Seattle to the Portland area to engage in various unlawful activities, including robbery.
At approximately 2 pm on February 5th, Celis, Harrell, and Moi Moi contacted the victim, Ravell Sterling, as he was walking to the store. They robbed Mr. Sterling and then shot him multiple times. The victim died in the parking lot before he could receive medical attention.
The defendants then attempted to flee back to the State of Washington but were spotted by a Portland Police Officer. After an extended car chase spanning nearly 100 miles, the defendants were arrested on I-5 in the Kalma, Washington area by the members of multiple law enforcement agencies.
“This has been a long and hard-fought case. The defendants came into our community with the intent of causing harm including taking things that did not belong to them and tragically ending a life. These acts are intolerable and demand accountability. Their combined sentences are over 75 years of prison time.” stated Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez.
The victim’s family spoke to the court about the immense loss they experienced. “Ravell was loved by his friends and family, he worked hard in life at his day job and was beginning to realize his dreams of becoming a performing rap artist. He stayed out of trouble and cared for his family.” stated his sister Shalisa Jackson.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks the Gresham Police Department, the Portland Police Bureau, members of the East County Major Crimes Team, the Oregon State Crime Lab, and the Washington State Patrol for their work on this case.
#MCDA#