BEAUMONT, Texas — A man has been indicted on a first-degree felony for trafficking a minor, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Damon Dewayne Porter, 50, was indicted on Wednesday for knowingly trafficking, transporting, enticing and recruiting a minor.
On Friday, June 21, 2024 at around 7 p.m., police received reports that a minor was running down Interstate-10 screaming before witnesses were able to retrieve the victim from the roadway.
Witnesses were able to place the victim in their vehicle, drive to a store and call police.
When police arrived to the convenience store, the minor appeared to be under the influence of a substance. The victim was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Porter told the minor that he was 24-years-old.
He picked the victim up from an apartment complex and drove to a Scottish Inn and Suites. Porter gave the minor alcohol and reportedly assaulted the victim in the vehicle.
Once at the Scottish Inn and Suites, he inappropriately touched the minor.
The minor was able to provide a location to a friend who was able to call Beaumont police.
Police called the minor's phone, but Porter instructed the minor to place the phone on speaker and tell officers everything was okay.
Porter told the minor that they would leave and get a room in Houston.
When they got in the car, Porter dropped the victim off at a convenience store along Interstate-10 access road while he returned to the Scottish Inn to pick up belongings and check out.
The minor stated that a friend was unable to meet at the store to provide a ride to a friend's house.
Around 20 minutes later, Porter came back to the store to pick up the victim.
Porter became upset when the minor vomited inside the car. He took the victim's phone, who was able to run away once Porter pulled over for a restroom.
Porter chased the minor down the highway, but the victim was able to yell for help before witnesses stopped, provided assistance and called police.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
