January 5, 2021
PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that three people currently under indictment for separate criminal conduct that allegedly occurred during riots in Portland have been arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Additionally, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office also initiated a criminal case today against a fourth individual by filing charges related to an incident that occurred in June of 2020.
State v. Jett Evans
Evans is charged with two counts of burglary in the first degree, two counts of theft in the first degree and one count of felony riot.
Evans is accused of unlawfully entering the Louis Vuitton store, located in the 700 block of Southwest 5th Avenue, on May 29-May 30, 2020, where he stole two items with a total value at more than $2,000. These alleged crimes occurred during a riot.
Evans is also accused of unlawfully entering the Poor Mouchette jewelry store that was located in the 300 block of Southwest Alder Street on May 29-May 30, 2020. The store reported being looted during a riot in downtown. Evans is only charged with unlawfully entering the business.
State v. Adam Layee
Layee is charged with one count of felony riot, one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device, one count of reckless burning and six counts of recklessly endangering another person.
On September 6, 2020, during a riot, law enforcement saw a person, later identified as Layee, light a mattress on fire, according to court documents. Later in the evening, officers located a bottle containing a liquid accelerant and fireproof gloves in Layee’s possession at the time of arrest. The bottle had a built-in wick.
The grand jury found that Layee recklessly endangered six separate people by creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury during the incident.
On this particular date, the weather was dry and hot, with significant and dangerous wind conditions throughout the Portland metro area. There was also a burn-ban in effect, due to the extremely dry fire conditions.
State v. Randal McCorkle
McCorkle is charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon, one count of felony riot and one count of recklessly endangering another person.
McCorkle is accused of holding a tube at a 45 degree angle on July 4, 2020 and launching a firework toward officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s Rapid Response Team and a Mobile Field Force. This alleged incident occurred during a riot. Law enforcement located and arrested McCorkle. At the time of arrest, officers discovered additional fireworks inside McCorkle’s backpack.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office also initiated a criminal case today against a fourth individual by filing charges related to an incident that occurred in June of 2020.
State v. Charles Comfort
Comfort is charged with one count of resisting arrest, one count of interfering with a peace officer, and one count of disorderly conduct in the second degree.
This particular investigation started on June 26, 2020 when a large group gathered at the
Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct. Some individuals used pallets to create a wall and used dumpsters to block the street. The incident was declared a riot.
Several people were seen throwing apples and bottles at police, and using laser pointers against the officers. Law enforcement gave a dispersal order. Some individuals, including a person later identified as Comfort, refused to leave.
It is alleged when law enforcement entered the street to clear the roadway, Comfort got into a low position and charged an officer and used a shield to ram the officer. Comfort is accused of kicking an officer multiple times while law enforcement took Comfort into custody.
A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Evans, Layee, McCorkle and Comfort are all innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office continues to work with law enforcement to identify, investigate and prosecute criminal conduct, including property destruction and violence that have occurred during mass demonstrations.
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Media Contact:
Brent Weisberg, Communications Director
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Email: Brent.Weisberg@nullmcda.us