A 23-year-old demonstrator from Florida faces rioting and other charges from a night of post-election mayhem in downtown Portland that left windows smashed at a church and many businesses.
Jarrod DeFerrari of Sunrise, Florida, originally gave the name “Candle Moma” when stopped with a group of other black-clad people in a parking garage in the 500 block of Southwest 10th Avenue about 7:10 p.m. Nov. 4, according to court records.
A sheriff’s deputy found a hammer, a gas mask, an empty can of spray paint and an illegal mortar firework in DeFerrari’s backpack, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
DeFerrari was indicted Wednesday on charges of felony riot and three counts of first-degree criminal mischief. DeFerrari caused more than $5,000 of damage at Riverside Tobacco, more than $1,000 of damage at St. André Bessette Catholic Church and more than $1,000 of damage at Alco Properties, according to the indictment.
Multnomah County Deputy Nicholas Bohrer had been on duty that night covering demonstrations when he encountered DeFerrari and other people in the parking garage, according to the affidavit.
One of the members of the group identified himself as an FBI agent and said he had been following them “because they had been rioting,” the affidavit said.
The agent reported that DeFerrari was with about 100 people, including eight who “were actively breaking windows,” the affidavit said.
Other businesses vandalized that night included the Hoxton Hotel, a Starbucks, Wildfang, a feminist clothing brand, and the gift shop Woonwinkel.
Police declared a riot following the vandalism as Gov. Kate Brown activated the Oregon National Guard to help respond.
Brown and Mayor Ted Wheeler condemned the destruction and Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt promised to prosecute people who had engaged in violence or vandalism.
-- Margaret Haberman