Update from Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 10:45 p.m.
After Chandler Pappas’s arraignment on Tuesday, the Marion County Circuit Court judge issued an order which upped his bail to $250,000 from the initial $100,000. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 15.
The order also imposes several restrictions on Pappas. He is not allowed to depart the State of Oregon unless authorized by the court or “have contact with” 900 Court St. SE, which is the address of the Oregon State Capitol. He is to have “no weapons, no guns,” per the document.
Pappas’s charging document was also released earlier Tuesday, detailing his charges. The six charges of felony assault of a public safety officer were for “unlawfully and knowingly causing physical harm” to six officers while they were “acting in the course of official duty” in the same act. The officers, who are named in the charging document, included members of both the Salem Police Department and Oregon State Police.
According to the charging document, Pappas’s burglary charge has been upgraded from burglary II to burglary in the first degree, a class A felony. This charge was brought because Pappas “unlawfully and knowingly enter[ed] and remain[ed]” in the Oregon State Capitol, with the “intent to commit the crime of criminal mischief therein.” The charging document emphasizes that Pappas was armed at the time.
Original Story
Chandler Pappas, a prominent member of Oregon’s extreme right, was arrested and booked on Monday, Jan. 4. Pappas was arrested on nine charges including six counts of felony assault of an officer, one count of armed criminal trespass, one burglary charge and one riot charge.
According to Lt. Treven Upkes of Salem Police Department [SPD], Pappas was located in the Portland area by Oregon State Police detectives on Jan. 4. He was then transferred into the custody of SPD and booked in the Marion County Correctional Facility. His initial bail was posted at $100,000.
Pappas has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m., in relation to these charges.
Pappas is a well-known figure in Oregon’s alt-right. He is a vocal supporter of Patriot Prayer and is rumored to be close to the group’s founder, Joey Gibson.
Pappas participated in the unlawful assembly declared by police on Dec. 21 at the Oregon State Capitol. This was when right wing protesters attempted to break into the Capitol during the Oregon Legislature’s Special Session. The charges are related to his participation. Pictures from that day show Pappas armed with a large assault rifle and mace [image one; posted on Pappas’ Twitter]. There is also an image of a man matching his description macing a line of police officers [image two; screenshot provided by community member].
Previously, Pappas claimed to have led the group that stole the infamous “Nightmare Elk” statue. This statue was built by Portland’s left-wing protesters to replace the elk statue that was removed at the beginning of the protests this past summer. Pappas and his associates removed the statue and wrote pro-Trump messages, among other things, on it. The statue was paraded around at right-wing events in the months at the end of 2020.
Pappas was with Aaron “Jay” Danielson on August 22, 2020, the night Danielson was shot and killed by Michael Reinoehl, during clashing Portland protests. Pappas is often seen wearing “Justice for Jay” clothing.
Pappas’s criminal record reveals that he previously pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm. There is also a pending charge against him in Clackamas County for criminal mischief in the 2nd degree. The next hearing on that charge is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2021.
This arrest comes on the heels of the arrest of Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, leader of the far right group the Proud Boys, in DC earlier today.
This is a developing story. If more information becomes available the article will be updated accordingly.
