Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier is proud of the role his deputies played in catching a child sex trafficker. Larry Dean Porter, 69, of Wheelersburg was indicted this week for his part in the vile sex ring. Porter is charged with paying parents to rape their children. The parents accepted illegal narcotics as payment for the unthinkable crimes.
The Sting
Porter was snared by Jackson County deputies in an online Facebook sting back in March. He offered to pay just $80 in exchange for raping a seven-year-old girl. Porter arranged to pick up a child in Oak Hill and told the deputies he would be finished with her around midnight.
You can imagine his surprise when instead of a desperate parent with a little girl, he was met by Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies and arrested.
“I am very pleased with these indictments and very proud of my deputies and the part my deputies had in ending this child sex trafficking operation,” said Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier.
The Charges
Porter is charged with 13 counts in the indictment, including:
- Conspiring to sex traffic children (15 years up to life in prison)
- Attempting to sex traffic children (15 years up to life)
- Producing child pornography (15 to 30 years)
- Possessing child pornography (up to 10 years)
- Conspiring to obstruct a child sex trafficking investigation (up to 25 years)
- Conspiring to witness tamper (up to 20 years)
Eight other adults are charged in the federal indictment, including Porter’s daughters, friends, and parents who sold their children’s bodies to him in exchange for pills.
Frazier went on to say, ” “Jackson County will not tolerate the actions of anyone who preys upon our children. We will hunt down those that abuse and take advantage of our children and our families. Children should not be placed in circumstances where they are in danger nor traded for drugs.”
Come Forward
The sheriff encouraged any additional victims to come forward.
“We want to find justice for all of their victims. Porter is in Federal custody at this time and is being held without bond. Please have the courage to come forward and fight for your justice by contacting my office or the FBI.”