Image Credit: NMSP – Submitted
LAS CRUCES — A Las Cruces tattoo artist has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a customer at a local business.
New Mexico State Police agents arrested 42-year-old Billy J. Porter on April 10 following an investigation into an incident reported earlier in the week.
According to investigators, the case began when the Las Cruces Police Department contacted the State Police Investigations Bureau for assistance. Authorities say the incident occurred April 8, when a 19-year-old woman went to Porter House Ink and Tattoo, located at 1204 E. Lohman Ave. in Las Cruces, to receive a tattoo.
Investigators allege that shortly after the woman arrived, Porter began pouring liquor and encouraged her to drink. After other employees left the business, authorities say Porter’s behavior changed and the incident escalated into sexual abuse.
The woman later left the tattoo parlor and reported the incident to the Las Cruces Police Department.
An arrest warrant was issued April 10, and State Police agents took Porter into custody without incident. Investigators also executed a search warrant at the tattoo parlor as part of the ongoing investigation.
Porter was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center and is charged with four counts of criminal sexual penetration, one count of criminal sexual contact and one count of selling or giving alcoholic beverages to a minor.
All suspects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
By John Krehbiel
Bravo Mic Communications LLC
Contact: john@bravomic.com
