Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that Michael Scott Walton, 30, was sentenced to 80 months in prison by a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge for Attempted Robbery in the First Degree and Attempted Assault in the First Degree.
In October 2022, the victim had just picked up a DoorDash order for delivery at the 7-11 in the area of Southeast Stark Street and Southeast 147th Avenue. As he entered his vehicle, Walton approached him from behind with a blow torch that was aflame. An aerosol was used to make the flame more powerful. He pushed the blow torch toward the victim’s head and said, “Give me your keys!”. The flame of the blow torch singed the victim’s hair and burned and melted areas on his jacket. The victim declined to give Walton his keys. Walton then vacated the area. Responding Portland police officers identified Walton near the area of the incident with the assistance of the victim and placed him under arrest. Video surveillance confirmed the incident.
“The facts of this case are terrifying. To sneak up on a person from behind with a blow torch and threaten them is absolutely unacceptable. I am satisfied that today’s sentence will serve the interests of justice in this case,” stated Deputy District Attorney Christopher Shull.
