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Portland police today arrested far-right brawler Ian Kramer on six charges related to a May 1 assault in front of a local cidery, including felony assault, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of tear gas, and disorderly conduct.
Matthew "Deme" Cooper is listed as a co-defendant in the indictment, and he faces charges for disorderly conduct and harassment, according to court records.
Portland Police searched Kramer's home and found a metal baton that may have been used in the attack.
A secret indictment was filed and unsealed by the court after Kramer's arrest Wednesday afternoon.
Kramer made headlines for attacking a group of antifascists at a local cidery, Cider Riot in Northeast Portland. Earlier in the day, Kramer had been marching with a small crowd of far-right provocateurs that included current and former Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer supporters, but the Proud Boy's elders council says no current Proud Boys were involved in the fight at Cider Riot.
The right-wing crowd had followed antifascists to Cider Riot, jeering at them and pepper spraying people sitting on the pub's patio. A fight between the two groups broke out. Kramer allegedly hit a woman in the back of the head, knocking her unconscious. A civil lawsuit against Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson, Kramer, Cooper and several other people involved in the May 1 incident alleges Kramer broke one of the woman's vertebrae.
"Criminal violence is not tolerated in the City of Portland and our investigators have worked diligently on this case," Chief Danielle Outlaw said in a statement on the arrest. "While these cases can take time, and delays in arrest can be perceived as indifference or lack of care, the opposite is true. Our investigators are attentive to detail, working behind the scenes to put together the strongest case possible for consideration in coordination with local, state and federal partners."
Mayor Ted Wheeler issued a warning to people threatening violence at an Aug. 17 rally that will likely attract many far-right extremists.
"The people who come to our beautiful city to commit acts of violence – and those who live here intent on doing the same – will be held accountable regardless of their political beliefs," Wheeler said in a video posted to YouTube.
Police and prosecutors have weathered criticism for failing to make arrests in violent incidents between far-right extremists and antifascists captured on camera at Portland protests. Last week, WW reported that police launched a criminal investigation after Gibson complained about a non-violent confrontation between an antifascist and Patriot Prayer supporter before prosecutors brought charges against the leftist protester.