Mook (Portland graffiti artist)
Mook | |
|---|---|
 A Mook tag on a building in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood of Portland | |
| Born | Marcus Edward Gunther 36–37[1] |
| Movement | Graffiti |
Mook is the pseudonymous tag of Marcus Edward Gunther. He was known to have tagged over one hundred locations with the word Mook in the late 2010s and was sentenced to two years in prison in February 2019 for his repeated acts of spraying graffiti without permission.
Graffiti
[edit]The Oregon Department of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau began an investigation on June 29, 2018, after the letters "M-O-O-K" were spray painted onto newly installed electronic signs hanging over an Interstate 84 overpass in Northeast Portland. Police opened a second investigation on September 6, 2018, after the same tag was found on a U-Store[2] self storage facility elsewhere in the city. On September 13, 2018, Portland resident Marcus Edward Gunther was arrested in connection with the two incidents.[3][4][5] Gunther was arrested at the corner of Southwest 13th Ave and Southwest Main Street.[6] He was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Criminal mischief in the Second Degree (two counts), Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and a probation violation.[7][8] Gunther was a prolific graffiti vandal, leaving over 100 documented tags around the city.[9] The Columbian reported that Gunther's graffiti tags have also been found in the nearby city of Vancouver, Washington.[10]
Legal issues
[edit]On February 8, 2019, Gunther pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree criminal mischief and one count of second-degree criminal mischief.[5] He was sentenced to two years in prison and will be required to pay a restitution of about $30,000 and enroll in five years of post-release drug treatment for his heroin and methamphetamine habits.[9][11] As of September 14, 2018, Gunther has had one felony conviction, three misdemeanor convictions and three parole violations, including possession of heroin and DWI. According to Portland Tribune, He was charged with second-degree theft earlier in September 2018, and faced 10 charges for second-degree theft and criminal mischief in August 2018.[6]
On February 11, 2019, Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced:
30-year-old Marcus Gunther changed his plea and was sentenced for causing nearly $30,000 in damages by illegally spray-painting on private property. "This is a sentence that holds Marcus Gunther accountable for his repeated acts of spraying graffiti without permission,” Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, who prosecuted this case, said after sentencing. “It also provides Mr. Gunther an opportunity at treatment, which will benefit him and our entire community.” Gunther was arrested September 13, 2018 by members of the Portland Police Bureau. The change of plea and sentencing hearing occurred on February 8, 2019. Gunther was responsible for numerous acts of vandalism throughout Portland, Oregon. Primarily, he was spray-painting his "tag" on private property, which included Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) property.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Loose, Travis (September 14, 2018). "Suspected Graffiti Artist Arrested: Portland Police". Portland, OR Patch. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- ^ Loose, Travis (September 14, 2018). "Suspected Graffiti Artist Arrested: Portland Police". Portland, OR Patch. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- ^ "Vandals tag new I-84 freeway signs, likely to cost taxpayers thousands in repairs". KATU. July 2, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^ "Police arrest man suspected of tagging I-84 freeway signs". KATU. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ a b "DA: Man who 'tagged' ODOT property sentenced to 2 years in prison, must pay $30K restitution". KPTV. February 11, 2019.
- ^ a b "Police: Graffiti tagger inflicted $24000 in property damage". Portland Tribune. September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
The 30-year-old has one felony conviction, three misdemeanor convictions and three parole violations, according to court records. He was charged with second-degree theft earlier this month, and last month faced 10 charges for second-degree theft and criminal mischief.
- ^ "Officers Arrest Tagger Thursday Afternoon (Photo)". Portland Police Bureau. September 14, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
- ^ Iboshi, Kyle (September 14, 2018). "Suspected serial tagger caught on camera, police say". KGW. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
- ^ a b Green, Aimee (February 11, 2019). "Portland man who spray-painted I-84 signs gets 2 years in prison". OregonLive. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
- ^ "Portland police arrest man allegedly responsible for 'MOOK' graffiti tags". The Columbian. September 14, 2018.
- ^ Miner, Colin (February 11, 2019). "Portland Graffiti Tagger Gets Prison, Ordered to Pay Restitution". Portland, OR Patch. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
- ^ "Marcus Gunther receives prison & treatment sentence for causing $30,000 in damages by illegally spray-painting". FlashAlert.net. Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2019.