Sergeant Major Damien T. Rodriguez, an active duty Marine who has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during his 20 years in the military, is charged with of harassment, disorderly conduct and intimidation in connection with a Friday incident at DarSalam, an Iraqi restaurant in Northeast Portland, KGW reports.

One of those charges is a bias/hate crime in Oregon.

Sergeant Major Damien T. Rodriguez

According to security footage, as well as Ghaith Sahib, owner of DarSalam, two men spent almost an hour in the restaurant, refusing to order. Things escalated as the men began using racial slurs and profanity and then one of the men picked up a chair and allegedly assaulted a server.

KGW said Rodriguez told officers he suffers from PTSD.

"We were really sad about what happened," Sahib told KGW. "We feel sorry for the guy and we feel sorry for ourselves, too."

Sahib came to the United States after surviving a car bomb in Baghdad in 2005. He met his wife, Tiffany Sahib, an American and native Oregonian, while he was working at a hostel in Amsterdam.

In 2015, he told Vice that part of the mission of DarSalam, which means "House of Peace," is to teach people about Iraq, beyond the conflicts they may be aware of.

"It's not just food. It's food and culture," Ghaith said. "We try to show the other part of Iraq. The peaceful part."

In a post on Facebook, American Legion Post Commander and writer Sean Davis who works with Portland veterans, wrote that the Sahibs asked him to help Rodriguez.

"Sadly, I think it's beyond that," he added. "Their hearts are so big."

In a Facebook message Davis said of Rodriguez, "I hope something good comes out of it and he finds help, but people need to know that there are many other combat veterans out there doing good in their communities."

"When something like this happens it adds to the stereotype that all veterans are damaged and crazy," added Davis. "That's not true."

Sergeant Major Damien T. Rodriguez

Rodriguez was booked and released Saturday on three misdemeanor counts. Sgt. Pete Simpson of the Portland Police Bureau said over email Tuesday, "Rodriguez was initially charged with Intimidation in the Second Degree, which is a bias/hate crime law in Oregon."

Simpson said the second person is not a suspect and spoke to police at the scene.

"The case is assigned to a Bias Crime detective for any needed follow-up requested by the District Attorney's Office," Simpson said. "Investigators are aware of his military service; however it has no bearing on the investigation or charges in this case."

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052

lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker