On Thursday, Gregory Whitson was handed a significant prison sentence for a series of burglaries and thefts that plagued downtown Portland since 2022. Whitson, 43, will spend 100 months behind bars and is expected to fork over more than $130,000 in restitution, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. These penalties close the chapter on five criminal cases that showcased Whitson's two-year crime spree.
Whitson's criminal enterprise brought undue hardship and loss to individuals and businesses alike, implementing what the DA deemed a sophisticated and prolific scheme. In one case, detailed by the Multnomah County District Attorney, he gained entry to the Dossier Hotel by force, breaking a secured garage and an electronic scan pad. After obtaining a janitorial master key, Whitson proceeded to steal from numerous offices within. Engaging in more than just burglaries, Whitson also ruthlessly took a cell phone from a car accident victim who was pushing his car out of the street.
This week, Deputy District Attorney Leslie Wu represented the state at Whitson's sentencing. Through a negotiated plea, which was to resolve the pending criminal cases against him, Whitson accepted open sentencing by Judge Cheryl Albrecht. The judge ultimately decreed the 100-month term and restitution. After the trial, Whitson found himself transferred to the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections.
The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office noted the profound impact of Whitson's actions, extending gratitude to the people and partners who contributed to the resolution. "A special thank you to officers from Portland Police Bureau’s central precinct who did significant work to solve the cases and who testified at sentencing about the impact the defendant had on the downtown community,” cited the District Attorney's Office.
