Portland tagger, convicted felon ‘Bier’ found guilty for manufacturing illegal guns

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Portland graffiti tagger was found guilty on gun charges after a two-year investigation into chronic graffiti vandalism in Portland initially led to his arrest.

According to Portland police, the investigation into “chronic offenders” began in the summer of 2021. The following year, they began focusing on taggers, including one known as “Bier.”

A search in January 2023 led investigators to “Bier,” later identified as 45-year-old convicted felon Jacob Ramos of Portland. Police served a warrant at Ramos’ home in East Portland in April 2023.

Authorities said that the search turned up body armor, large amounts of ammunition, as well as 10 total firearms — five of which were serialized and five appearing to be homemade. One of the firearms was also largely 3D-printed and another a short-barrel AR-15 style rifle without serial numbers.

The search also yielded a 3D printer, special tools and material used to print and mill several “functioning, non-serialized, polymer and metal firearms.”

Ramos was originally indicted on 73 charges, including second-degree criminal mischief (50 counts), first-degree criminal mischief (10 counts), one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm and in possession of a short barrel rifle, as well as the manufacture of a firearm (11 counts).

On Wednesday, Ramos was found guilty on 22 charges of unlawfully manufacturing, importing or transferring a firearm (5 counts), attempted manufacturing, importing or transferring a firearm (6 counts), felon in possession of a firearm (10 counts), as well as unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle (1 count).

Portland police say graffiti allegations against Ramos are still open and under investigation.