Portland Man With Violent Criminal History Charged With Bias Crime After Assaulting Transgender Woman on PSU Campus
A transgender woman was attacked and repeatedly punched by a man with a long criminal record of violent crime at a MAX stop at Portland State University last Sunday.
The woman told a Portland State University (PSU) campus public safety officer, when he arrived on the scene, that William Thomas Ashley (51) grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground before repeatedly punching her.
According to court documents, the incident occurred at the PSU MAX stop at SW 6th and Montgomery, where the officer found two people grappling on the ground. He recognized one of them as Ashley from a probable cause flier concerning another case.
He Struck Her With Her Own Umbrella
The transgender woman told the officer that Ashley approached her while she was waiting for a train, and repeatedly said “you’re a man,” before hitting her with an umbrella he had ripped out of her hands.
Allegedly, Ashley then grabbed her by her hair and threw her to the ground while punching her and saying, “You don’t belong in my country.”
According to the PSU officer, Ashley kicked and headbutted him and used verbal racial slurs against him and another officer, whom he also spat in the face.
Court documents reveal that CCTV footage shows Ashley trying to stab the transgender woman when he approached her. The knife was later recovered at the scene.
Ashley has been charged with bias crime, assault, attempted assault, unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated harassment, interfering with public transport, and criminal mischief.
His next court appearance is set for February 18, 2026.
- Feb 8, 2026: Assault reported at PSU MAX stop at SW 6th and Montgomery.
- Feb 8, 2026: Officer arrives, finds two people grappling, separates them.
- Feb 8, 2026: CCTV referenced, knife recovered at scene, charges filed.
- Feb 18, 2026: Next court appearance scheduled.