CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Shocking sexual assault allegations are putting an officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department on the wrong side of the law.
NBC Charlotte has learned helicopter pilot, Matthew Porter, is accused of sexually abusing a young girl. The alleged victim, who lives in Nevada, is now 17 years old. She told authorities the crimes happened in Charlotte dating back to 2010.
CMPD detectives went to Nevada this month to interview the girl and her family. Now, Porter is under arrest and heading to jail.
“Egregious charges, some charges that are really hard to comprehend,” said Rob Tufano, a CMPD spokesman.
The alleged victim reported the crimes to authorities in Nevada this month.
“A victim who is now 17, who currently lives in Nye County, reported she was sexually assaulted by Porter when she lived in Charlotte,” said Katrina Graue, Deputy Chief at CMPD.
The alleged victim also told police Porter was a family friend at the time. She said the sexual abuse happened between 2010 and 2013.
“As soon as we became aware, we conducted an investigation, sent detectives to Nevada, and today have made an arrest,” Deputy Chief Graue said.
Porter, who has been with CMPD since 1995, is now facing multiple charges; eight counts of first-degree sex offense and 20 counts of indecent liberties.
“It’s something we take very seriously and not something we tolerate as an organization,” Deputy Chief Graue said.
Police say Porter was not on duty during the sexual assaults. He is now on unpaid administrative leave.