PORTLAND, Ore. — Michael “Mike” Bivins, the former freelance reporter convicted of a violent spree of hate crimes against Portland religious communities, will serve only months in state prison despite a five-year sentence on paper. His early release comes at the request of faith leaders who chose forgiveness over retribution — even as Bivins himself showed no sign of remorse.
Sentence Handed Down
Bivins, 37, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison and five years of probation, but court officials confirmed he is expected to serve only eight months in custody, with credit for time served, good behavior, and four months of transitional leave. After his release, he will be on supervised probation for four years.
The sentence is far lighter than the nine years of incarceration permitted under state law. Prosecutors said the punishment reflects the wishes of the communities he targeted and offers the best chance for Bivins to undergo rehabilitation.
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Still, the announcement was met with mixed emotions in a packed courtroom. Survivors of Bivins’ hate-fueled rampage offered forgiveness. Bivins, in turn, barked defiance.
Courtroom Outburst
When Andy Green, a former trustee of the Muslim Community Center, spoke of mercy during the sentencing, Bivins interrupted him:
“Save your pity for the weak!” he shouted, prompting a rebuke from his attorney.
Green, undeterred, responded with an invitation: “I want to invite you, if you are willing, you can pray with us at any time.”
The exchange illustrated the striking divide between the communities seeking reconciliation and the man convicted of attacking them.
A Spree of Hate
Bivins’ crimes spanned four days in late April and early May 2022, targeting two Jewish synagogues, a Muslim community center, and Everybody Eats PDX, a now-shuttered Black-owned restaurant.
He was caught on camera attempting to set fire to the Muslim center using an accelerant, vandalizing synagogues with graffiti, and smashing windows at the restaurant.
The spree culminated in a bizarre confession. Bivins reached out to a television reporter, admitting his crimes before being arrested days later.
In June 2025, a jury convicted him on 11 counts, including first-degree arson and second-degree bias crime, Oregon’s legal term for hate crime.
Victims Speak Out
Faith leaders described the lasting impact of Bivins’ actions.
Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana, senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel, said the synagogue discovered antisemitic graffiti just one day after holding a Holocaust remembrance service.
“The actions of Michael Bivins have undermined these promises to the Jewish community of Portland,” Cahana said. “Its effects will remain with us for many years to come.”
Prosecutors also noted that investigators suspected Bivins in another attempted arson: a family home linked to a Jewish nonprofit was set ablaze on May 6, 2022, one day before his arrest. But without surveillance or cellphone evidence, prosecutors were unable to prove his involvement.
From Journalism to Extremism
Bivins once had a career as a freelance journalist, writing for Willamette Week and covering right-wing protests with a critical perspective during the 2010s. But over time, colleagues said he withdrew from journalism, taking a clerical job at Oregon Health & Science University, marrying briefly, and eventually slipping into conspiracy theories and extremist beliefs.
By 2022, authorities say, his life had spiraled into hate and violence.
Terms of Release
As part of his probation, Judge Eric Dahlin ordered Bivins to:
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Have no contact with the religious institutions and businesses he targeted.
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Undergo GPS monitoring.
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Participate in mental health and substance abuse treatment.
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Attend sensitivity and educational classes at the discretion of parole officers.
The judge emphasized that any violation of these terms could send Bivins back to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
A Statement Without Remorse
Before sentencing, Bivins addressed the court only briefly, making a cryptic remark referencing wiretaps on Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, citing Richard Nixon’s autobiography.
It was the closest he came to a statement — and it offered no acknowledgment of the pain caused by his crimes.
Prosecutors Express Frustration
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said he was “disappointed” in Bivins’ refusal to take responsibility.
“Mr. Bivins may end up serving the full sentence if he breaks the rules once released,” Vasquez said. “If he commits any new acts or is doing anything to violate his probation, then we’re going to send him right back.”
A Community Response Rooted in Forgiveness
The lighter sentence reflects the views of many within the faith communities Bivins targeted. Leaders said their priority was healing, not revenge.
For the Muslim Community Center, forgiveness was central. For Congregation Beth Israel, protecting the principle of religious freedom was paramount. And for others, ensuring that Bivins undergoes treatment and education was seen as more important than maximizing his time behind bars.
Still, neighbors and broader community members expressed unease that a man convicted of multiple hate crimes and arson attempts could walk free within months.
Looking Ahead
As Bivins prepares for release, the question remains whether he can abide by the restrictions placed upon him. His courtroom defiance suggested little change in outlook, but prosecutors insist they will closely monitor him.
Meanwhile, Portland’s religious communities continue to balance fear, resilience, and faith. “The acts left many of us feeling unsafe,” Rabbi Cahana said, “but we will not let hate define our future.”
For Bivins, that future now depends on whether he can comply with probation and accept rehabilitation — or whether his actions will send him back to prison.
