Las Cruces, NM(KKOB) – A Las Cruces judge denied bond for 42-year-old Billy Porter, a tattoo artist accused of raping a 19-year old woman during a tattoo session in Las Cruces.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, this is not the first time that Porter has had similar charges against him. In 2022, Porter was going to trial for similar allegations but the case was dismissed and refiled again. In 2024, due to potential conflict, the case was sent to another judicial district, but the court determined that there was insufficient evidence and was dismissed a second time.
The victim told police that Porter offered her and encouraged her to drink whiskey while she was getting her tattoo. In the late afternoon after employees had left for the day, she told police she was assaulted.
The victim also was seen by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Forensic Nurse, who reported the woman had multiple injuries to her head, neck and private area. She had abrasions and bruises to the right side of her neck and back, and had a laceration to the inside of her lip.
Porter is expected to remain in jail as his case moves within the court process.
