Jury Convicts Portland Man for Role in Drug Robbery and Shooting

PORTLAND, Ore.-A federal jury in Portland found a local man guilty today for shooting and robbing two marijuana sellers in August 2017.

Ernest Franklin Evans, 39, a Portland resident, was found guilty of Hobbs Act robbery and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and trial testimony, on August 3, 2017, an associate of Evans set up a ruse to purchase of 10 pounds of marijuana from two local marijuana sellers. After arriving at an agreed upon location, the two marijuana sellers wheeled out a large black tote full of marijuana. Shortly thereafter, two masked men-Evans and a second associate-came out from behind the corner of a building with guns drawn. Evans had a sawed-off shotgun and his associate had a pistol. Evans shot both marijuana sellers with a sawed-off shotgun and took their marijuana.

Evans was arrested on November 19, 2018, following the execution of a federal search warrant on his Portland residence.

On May 11, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count superseding indictment charging Evans with robbery and using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and drug trafficking crime.

Evans faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years' supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Sax and Jeffrey S. Sweet.