CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An Oklahoma man accused of luring a Monroe, North Carolina teen from her home for sexual purposes has been arraigned in Charlotte's federal court.
30-year-old Christopher James Porter was arraigned Wednesday morning before a U.S. magistrate judge. He was indicted in February on three counts of producing child pornography and one count of committing a felony against a minor as a registered sex offender.
Porter is accused of driving from Oklahoma to Monroe after talking with a 16-year-old girl via anonymous social media apps to meet with her in October 2023. The Monroe Police Department said he and the teen drove to Kirkwood, Missouri, where police found them in a parking lot.
Police said Porter took advantage of comments the girl made about facing stress and wanting to run away from home, convincing her to go with him. His federal indictment alleges he produced the material between May and September of 2023.
While each charge of the production of child pornography typically carries a sentence ranging from 15-30 years in prison, federal prosecutors say Porter's status as a registered sex offender enhances the potential sentencing guidelines if found guilty. Instead, he could face 30 to 50 years in federal prison on each charge.
He also faces up to 10 years in prison for the count of committing a felony against a minor as a registered sex offender.
If you or a loved one is facing domestic violence, help is readily available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Resources for help are available in both North Carolina and South Carolina.