Re: No jail time for pro skateboarder in Portland graffiti case due to plea deal

[Put him in jail too]

Ubiquitous <webe...@polaris.net> wrote in
news:stithp$vjq3$1...@news.freedyn.de:

> Transition Zone wrote
>
>> This lowlife needs his dick cut off.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A professional skateboarder blamed for dozens of graffiti
cases across Portland has avoided jail time by cutting a plea deal with
Multnomah County prosecutors.

Emile Laurent, 22, pleaded guilty to one felony count and three
misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, according to court records. In
exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining 21 counts of criminal
mischief.

Laurent was sentenced Wednesday to three years of probation, 100 hours of
community service and $6,800 in restitution.

Portland Police arrested Laurent in August 2022 for allegedly vandalizing
buildings, walls and signs across Portland. Prosecutors said Laurent
tagged public and private property with the moniker "TENDO" — thought to
be shorthand for Nintendo.

After Laurent's arrest last summer, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted "We
will not allow Portland to be marred by graffiti and vandalism," vowing to
hold those responsible for the damage accountable.


Portland has seen a surge in graffiti complaints in recent years. In 2020,
the city received 897 reports of graffiti, compared to 2,117 in 2021 and
5,260 in 2022.

"Our office takes cases involving property crime very seriously," wrote
Liz Merah, spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorney's
Office in an email to KGW. "Our approach with Mr. Laurent, who is young
with no criminal history, was to prosecute with the intent of holding him
accountable and ensuring restitution for victims."

Laurent is a professional skateboarder, who is sponsored and heavily
promoted by the apparel firm Polar Skate. He still appears on the Swedish
company's website after his arrest and felony conviction.

Laurent was charged with criminal mischief in 2018, although the case was
later dropped by Multnomah County prosecutors. According to court records,
officers stopped Laurent and another man suspected of spray painting a
medical clinic in Northeast Portland. Officers said they found a can of
spray paint in Laurent's pocket, and another can in his backpack.

Laurent could not be reached for comment.

Under the terms of his plea deal, Laurent can't have spray paint, spray
paint tips or other graffiti related tools during his three years of
probation.

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/skateboarder-avoids-jail-
plea-deal-portland-graffiti/283-d87f7e93-5ecf-4224-902b-
2164791cef25?ref=exit-recirc