Pro skier arrested in NW Bend burglary, assault

(Update: Comments from resident of burglarized apartment)

A 28-year-old pro skier who recently was sponsored by a Bend cannabis company was arrested early Wednesday morning, accused of assaulting two women and breaking items at their northwest Bend apartment, then kicking in the door of another apartment and awakening the sleeping residents, police said.

Lt. Brian Kindel said that “alcohol was a factor” in the incident that led to the arrest of John Mario Spriggs, 28, who police described as a transient.

Around 5:30 a.m., officers were dispatched for a report of a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex at 82 Northwest Riverside Boulevard, Kindel said. A neighbor reported hearing what sounded like a physical altercation in an adjoining apartment.

Officers arrived to learn that Spriggs had been an invited guest in the apartment, but was asked to leave by the two residents “after exhibiting inappropriate behavior,” Kindel said in a news release.

Sprigs refused to leave, however, and began breaking items and assaulting the two female residents, the lieutenant said. The women were able to lock themselves in their bathroom while Spriggs allegedly continued to break items.

Spriggs left that apartment but kicked in the door of another apartment, walked into the bedroom and awakened the sleeping residents by yelling at them, demanding they give him his property, a reported hoodie, Kindel said.

Resident Calvin Rich said he and his girlfriend didn’t hear their front door broken into and woke up to a large man yelling at them.

“Guy came in and busted out the trim, and you can see it here — I mean, this(piece of wood) was halfway across into our living room. He came in with some force, for sure,” Rich said.

Rich said he was glad his girlfriend was not injured.

Spriggs then left the scene, “having caused extensive damage to both (apartment) units,” the lieutenant said.

Responding officers found Spriggs nearby and took him into custody. He was taken to the Deschutes County Jail, where he was held on $55,000 bail, facing two counts of first-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree assault, according to jail records.

In early February, Bend’s Oregrown announced a sponsorship agreement with “pro skier and backcountry legend John Spriggs,” noting his two-time “Best Trick” wins at Denver Big Air and three appearances in the Winter X Games, as well as many film appearances.

They said it was believed to be the first time an Oregon marijuana company had sponsored a pro athlete.

An Oregrown representative said Wednesday that they have dropped Spriggs’ sponsorship and provided the following statement to NewsChannel 21:

“We are extremely troubled by these charges. Immediately upon learning the news, we canceled our sponsorship of John Spriggs. Oregrown expects all of our athletes to exhibit responsible and respectful behavior on and off the mountain at all times.”

In Oregrown’s Feb. 8 announcement, Spriggs said he finds both meditative and medicinal benefits in cannabis.

“I am fortunate to spend most of my time in spectacular settings like the Cascades, the Sierras and the Rockies,” Spriggs said. “I use cannabis to enhance the mind and body when I am outside skiing, rock climbing, fly fishing or whatever activity I choose to do in these beautiful places.”

“At the same time, as a professional skier, I have also had my share of strains and injuries,” he added. “I have found cannabis to be very effective as a natural pain reliever and sleep aid. I would much rather use a cannabis product like CBD, for instance, than those prescription painkillers.”