Armed passenger arrested in Lents traffic stop

Find out why this trio was pulled over in outer East Portland, and why two suspects went to jail – although one of them since has been set free …

Officers make a “traffic stop” in the Lents neighborhood, along the I-205 Multi-use Path, when they spot a vehicle missing its license plate.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

The Lents neighborhood is one of the areas where Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Tactical Operation Division (TOD) officers have been conducting focused patrols in response to several shootings in the past few months.

Keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary during a midnight patrol, TOD officers spotted a car without a license plate, on SE Raymond Street where it dead-ends into the I-205 Multi-use Path at SE 94th Avenue on October 5 at 12:53 a.m..

“During the traffic investigation, a passenger was found to be in possession of a handgun,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Brad Yakots.

This isn’t a replica weapon; officers took this Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9MM pistol as evidence. PPB evidence image

“The armed suspect, 21-year-old Dontae Eugene Mathis, was arrested on one count each of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public (city code), and felon in possession of a firearm,” Yakots said.

In addition to gun charges, 21-year-old Dontae Eugene Mathis must also answer a Parole Violation charge. MCDC booking photo

Mathis was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 2:20 a.m. that morning on the charges for which he was arrested. During his arraignment in Multnomah County District Court, the judge let Mathis know the combined bail for his charges was set at $10,000. Nevertheless, Mathis remains in custody at Inverness Jail on a Parole Violation charge, and a no-bail County Hold.

Although 18-year-old Hassan Joseph Smith was arrested for Parole Violation, he was soon turned over to the Oregon Youth Authority. MCDC booking photo

Also taken into custody was 18-year-old Hassan Joseph Smith, who was booked into MCDC at 2:21 a.m. on one count of Probation Violation. He was ordered to be held without bail at Inverness Jail. However, less than a week later, a judge released Smith on October 10. The stated Release Reason: “Oregon Youth Authority”.

“The PPB Tactical Operations Division is continuing to investigate several incidents of gun violence citywide,” Yakots said. “Anyone with information about gun crimes in the City is encouraged to provide information to TOD by calling 503-823-4106 or email information to GunTaskForce@portlandoregon.gov.

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