Multnomah County Judge Celia Howes today sentenced Garrett Repp to 196 months (16 years 4 months ) in prison for starting the fire that burned down the May apartment building on May 16, 2023.
Repp was earlier convicted on 28 counts of Arson in the first Degree Representing a Threat of Serious Physical Injury, four counts of Animal Abuse in the First Degree, twenty-one counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and two counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.
The Facts:
On May 16, 2023, Garrett Repp was scheduled to be physically evicted from his apartment at 1410 SW Taylor Street after causing months of problems, including pulling the building’s fire alarm more than 20 times. On the morning of May 16th, the building’s owner arrived at the property to discuss problems Repp had caused the night before with neighbors. The building owner tried to talk with Repp near his apartment on the third floor, but Repp refused to communicate with him and went into his apartment and closed the door.
Ten minutes later, at 10:28am, approximately 100 firefighters responded to a fire at the May apartments. Large volumes of smoke were seen coming from the third and fourth floor windows on the north side of the building. Fire crews were quick to rescue tenants from fire escapes on the east and north sides of the building. It was later determined that sixteen residents were in the building at the time of the fire and that six of those residents were asleep.
The fire destroyed the apartment building. No people were physically harmed but four pets died and every tenant lost all or nearly all of their belongings.
The state’s sentencing memo is attached to this release.
Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer prosecuted the case for the state.
“Lets not fixate on the evil or horror caused by the defendant but instead recognize the courage and inspiration of the survivors. They rescued each other from the flames, they held each other while their homes burned and they cared for each other through the trial. They are an inspiration to me,” Palmer said.
The District Attorneys Office would like to acknowledge and thank Portland Police Bureau Arson Detective Meredity Hopper, Portland Fire Bureau Lt. Jason Andersen and Portland Fire Bureau Origin and Cause Investigator Nicole Brewer. Their expertise turned up key evidence in the case.
The District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank and acknowledge the work of Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocates, Nang Dunn, Alex Bidwell, Suzanne Rapagnani, Emma King and Julie Jacobs. Their compassion and concern for the many victims in the case was priceless.