Man Convicted in 2020 Eugene Riot Arrested on Outstanding Warrant
Eugene, Ore. — Arei Mathias Johnson, convicted in 2021 for his role in the May 2020 riots in Eugene, was arrested today, March 17, 2026, on a bench warrant issued four years ago for failing to appear in court.
Johnson, now in his early 30s, attended a hearing on the warrant in Lane County court this afternoon. Court records indicate a follow-up sentencing hearing related to the warrant is scheduled for March 20, 2026.
The warrant stemmed from Johnson's failure to appear at an April 4, 2022, hearing tied to his sentencing following the 2021 conviction.
In 2021, Johnson was found guilty of multiple charges connected to the chaotic events of May 29/30, 2020, including Riot, Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Menacing, Interfering with Peace/Parole and Probation Officer, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.
He received a sentence of time served, and probation in 2021, which was projected to expire on May 28, 2024.The original charges arose from Johnson's arrest on January 21, 2021, when Eugene Police officers responded to a dispute call near West 8th Avenue and discovered an active attempt-to-locate alert linked to the 2020 riot investigation.
According to the Eugene Police Department’s January 2021 announcement, the incident occurred around 9:27 p.m. on May 29, 2020, on the westbound I-105 offramp to West 7th Avenue. Officers in two police vehicles were positioned to safeguard a group of 50 to 100 rioters who had entered freeway traffic.
As rioters surrounded and advanced on the officers, forcing them to retreat inside their vehicles for safety, Johnson allegedly positioned himself in front of one officer's vehicle and refused to move while another individual smashed the windshield with a large board.
Later, Johnson reportedly entered a business through windows shattered by other looters, removed merchandise, and tossed it onto the sidewalk. He was also accused of climbing onto a surrounded civilian vehicle, jumping on the hood, walking up the windshield to the roof, stomping to break the glass, and then jumping off, while other rioters yelled at, struck, kicked, and threw objects at the car.
Johnson was initially charged with three counts of Riot, Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Interfering with Police, and Menacing.
The investigation led to multiple arrests, with Johnson's being the 23rd reported at the time of his 2021 apprehension.
Information from: Lane County Jail, Oregon Judicial Portal, Eugene Police Department
Johnson, now in his early 30s, attended a hearing on the warrant in Lane County court this afternoon. Court records indicate a follow-up sentencing hearing related to the warrant is scheduled for March 20, 2026.
The warrant stemmed from Johnson's failure to appear at an April 4, 2022, hearing tied to his sentencing following the 2021 conviction.
In 2021, Johnson was found guilty of multiple charges connected to the chaotic events of May 29/30, 2020, including Riot, Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Menacing, Interfering with Peace/Parole and Probation Officer, and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.
He received a sentence of time served, and probation in 2021, which was projected to expire on May 28, 2024.The original charges arose from Johnson's arrest on January 21, 2021, when Eugene Police officers responded to a dispute call near West 8th Avenue and discovered an active attempt-to-locate alert linked to the 2020 riot investigation.
According to the Eugene Police Department’s January 2021 announcement, the incident occurred around 9:27 p.m. on May 29, 2020, on the westbound I-105 offramp to West 7th Avenue. Officers in two police vehicles were positioned to safeguard a group of 50 to 100 rioters who had entered freeway traffic.
As rioters surrounded and advanced on the officers, forcing them to retreat inside their vehicles for safety, Johnson allegedly positioned himself in front of one officer's vehicle and refused to move while another individual smashed the windshield with a large board.
Later, Johnson reportedly entered a business through windows shattered by other looters, removed merchandise, and tossed it onto the sidewalk. He was also accused of climbing onto a surrounded civilian vehicle, jumping on the hood, walking up the windshield to the roof, stomping to break the glass, and then jumping off, while other rioters yelled at, struck, kicked, and threw objects at the car.
Johnson was initially charged with three counts of Riot, Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Interfering with Police, and Menacing.
The investigation led to multiple arrests, with Johnson's being the 23rd reported at the time of his 2021 apprehension.
Information from: Lane County Jail, Oregon Judicial Portal, Eugene Police Department
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