The man made derogatory comments toward a TriMet worker based on his Asian descent after threatening to kill him with a knife when asked to get off his scooter.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A man has been sentenced to prison after he pulled out a knife and threatened to kill a TriMet worker when asked to get off his scooter. The man then made derogatory comments toward the worker based on his Asian descent.
Geovani Barcenas-Ortiz pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree bias crime and unlawful use of a weapon. Judge Theodore Sims sentenced Barcenas-Ortiz to 15 months in prison and two years of supervised release, the Washington County District Attorney's Office said.
On May 18, Barcenas-Ortiz was at the Willow Creek MAX station in Hillsboro. A TriMet worker spotted him riding a scooter through the station and asked him to get off near the MAX platform. Barcenas-Ortiz refused, pulling a knife and threatening to kill the worker, according to the Washington County District Attorney's Office.
When the incident occurred, Barcenas-Ortiz at the time was on post-prison supervision for a felon in possession of a firearm conviction.
Hillsboro police responded to the scene, and officers arrested Barcenas-Ortiz.
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