KGW 8 News | By Devon Haskins | January 29, 2026
Two security guards accused of assaulting a MAX train passenger are facing criminal charges, with arrest warrants issued Tuesday by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.
Edward Walter Arndt III, 43, and Cruz Magnus Bost, 28, were charged with misdemeanors stemming from an Oct. 14, 2025, incident on a TriMet Blue Line train at the Gateway platform. Arndt faces charges of harassment and interfering with public transportation. Bost is charged with interfering with public transportation and strangulation.
According to affidavits filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the confrontation began when James Han, 54, accidentally bumped into Arndt while trying to find a seat on the crowded train. Court documents say Port of Portland police reviewed security footage showing both men turning sideways in an attempt to pass each other, but they were unable to do so in the narrow aisle.
The affidavit states that Arndt used his backside to “abruptly and forcefully” bump Han, who shoved Arndt in response. Arndt then “aggressively” pushed Han several yards down the train aisle, according to court documents.
As the altercation continued, a third security guard noticed the confrontation and grabbed Han’s arm. Bost then jumped onto Han’s back and put an arm around his neck, the affidavit says. Both Han and Bost fell onto a seat.
Han told police that Bost placed him in a chokehold, causing him to lose the ability to breathe and feel pressure on his Adam’s apple. He said the pressure varied over a period of five to 10 seconds before Bost released him. The three guards then left Han on the train and did not detain or arrest him.
Han’s attorney, Michael Fuller of the Underdog Law Office, said his client was relieved charges were filed after months of seeking law enforcement action.
“He had been working for months to bring this to the attention of law enforcement,” Fuller said Tuesday. “So he was relieved to see that the charges were filed.”
Han has returned to work as a funeral director and has filed a civil lawsuit against TriMet seeking more than $415,000 in damages. The lawsuit remains in its early stages. Fuller said TriMet has not disclosed video footage of the incident despite repeated requests.
“TriMet still will not disclose that video to Mr. Han,” Fuller said. “They have remained secretive about what, if anything, they’ve done in the background to address this.”
Fuller said inadequate training may have contributed to the incident.
“Private security or law enforcement is one of the hardest jobs out there,” he said. “When companies cut corners and don’t adequately train people, it doesn’t surprise me when those people go out and assault others when things get tough.”
TriMet has said Arndt and Bost were contract security guards, not agency employees. Fuller said legal liability still applies to contractors acting as agents of a public body.
“If you’re an agent of a public body, whether you’re employed directly or not, the public body is liable for your behavior,” Fuller said. “In this case, these were TriMet guards, wearing TriMet uniforms and carrying out TriMet directives.”
TriMet declined to comment on the case, citing pending litigation. A spokesperson said Arndt and Bost were contracted through Portland Patrol Inc. and assigned as customer safety officers. The spokesperson said TriMet’s understanding is that both are no longer on PPI’s contract. An email seeking comment from PPI was not returned.
Despite the incident, Han has resumed riding MAX trains. Fuller said his client temporarily avoided public transit and relied on rides from friends but has since returned.
“He’s a pretty tough cookie,” Fuller said. “He wasn’t looking to file a lawsuit. He was looking for accountability and vindication for being manhandled.”
The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training confirmed that both Arndt and Bost hold current unarmed professional certifications. Arndt’s certification was issued July 29, 2025, and expires July 29, 2027. Bost’s certification was issued Sept. 20, 2024, and expires Sept. 20, 2026.
A DPSST spokesperson said the agency is moving to issue emergency suspensions for both certifications following the charges. The suspensions are expected to be completed by the end of business Wednesday, with online records updated to show the certifications are under review.
The charges come weeks after a separate incident involving a now-former TriMet employee accused of pepper-spraying and harassing a group of teenagers at the Gresham Central Transit Center in August. Steven Christopher Hollinghurst, 55, worked as a TriMet road supervisor and faces criminal charges.
