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Indianapolis man sentenced for 14 charges related to violent 2020 Portland protests

Malik Muhammad pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in the violent 2020 Portland protests.

PORTLAND, Ore. — An Indianapolis man who met with Gov. Eric Holcomb about police reform has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for throwing Molotov cocktails at police officers and smashing windows during the violent protests in Portland in 2020.

Malik Muhammad pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges before being sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution, according to a Tuesday announcement from Mike Schmidt, the district attorney for Multnomah County where Portland is located.

RELATED: Indiana man faces federal charges for violent Portland protests

Schmidt detailed how in the summer of 2020 Muhammad traveled to Portland where he was involved in four violent protests between September and October of 2020. 

Sept. 5, 2020:

The first was on Sept. 5, when Muhammad brought baseball bats and Molotov cocktails to a planned protest at the East Portland Police Precinct building. Schmidt said during the protest Muhammad passed out the bats and threw multiple Molotov cocktails at police officers. One of the explosives landed short and caused, what Schmidt described as, a "fiery explosion" that engulfed a fellow protester in flames, causing them severe burns to their legs.

Schmidt shared video of the explosion that was used as evidence against Muhammad. As a warning to viewers, the video contains graphic content and language. It can be viewed here

These are the charges he pleaded guilty to in connection with the Sept. 5 protest:

  • Second-degree assault
  • Unlawful manufacture of a destructive device
  • Unlawful possession of a destructive device
  • Riot

Sept. 21, 2020:

Muhammad went to a protest at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and threw a Molotov cocktail at police officers but it didn't explode and police recovered it as evidence. This evidence, along with an extensive investigation, was used to identify Muhammad. 

Credit: Multnomah County District Attorney
Pictured is a Molotov cocktail that authorities say an Indianapolis man threw at police officers during violent protests in Portland, Oregon, in 2020. The local district attorney said the cocktail didn't explode and it was used as evidence to identify the Indianapolis man who threw it.

These are the charges he pleaded guilty to in connection with the Sept. 21 protest:

  • Attempted murder
  • Riot

Sept. 23, 2020:

Just two days later, Muhammad went to another protest at the Multnomah County Justice Center, which houses court facilities, a local jail, a police precinct and a number of other justice system related offices. 

A protester set the building on fire and as police moved toward the building to help put the fire out, Schmidt said Muhammad threw a Molotov cocktail at the officers. The explosive narrowly missed multiple officers and caught one officer's clothes on fire. 

These are the charges he pleaded guilty to in connection with the Sept. 23 protest:

  • Attempted murder
  • Riot

Oct. 11, 2020:

Muhammad was also linked to a protest near Directors Park in downtown Portland in October. Schmidt said during this protest Muhammad used a baton to smash the windows of the Oregon Historical Society, Portland State University, and multiple other businesses in the downtown Portland area.

Credit: Multnomah County District Attorney
The Oregon Historical Society's windows were smashed during a violent protest in Portland on Oct. 11, 2020. The local district attorney says an Indianapolis man smashed the historical society's windows as well as windows at Portland State University and a number of other businesses downtown.

When he was arrested, police said they saw him try to hide a loaded gun. The gun was taken when he was arrested.

Credit: Multnomah County District Attorney
Pictured is the gun police seized when they arrested an Indianapolis man during a violent protest in Portland, Oregon on Oct. 11, 2020.

These are the charges he pleaded guilty to in connection with the Oct. 11 protest:

  • Four counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
  • Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
  • Riot

Background:

Muhammad helped organize various rallies in Indianapolis last summer against racial injustice and police use of force, according to press reports.

Muhammad made headlines after helping to defuse a tense standoff between police and demonstrators in Indianapolis by hugging a police lieutenant on June 1.

RELATED: Officers march peacefully with protesters outside the governor's residence

RELATED: Protest organizer who hugged Indy cop during march charged with attempted murder after violent Portland protests last year

Days after the exchange, Muhammad had a private meeting with Holcomb to discuss police reform.

Public records indicate Muhammad is an Army veteran and had no criminal history prior to the violent Portland protests.

(Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the spelling of Muhammad throughout.)

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