Falls Police officer pleads not guilty to rape charges

Rick Pfeiffer -, Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
·2 min read

Apr. 23—LOCKPORT — A Niagara Falls Police officer continues to be held at the Niagara County jail after his arraignment Tuesday on charges tied to three separate rapes in the Town of Niagara.

Martice D. Porter, 21, of Niagara Falls, pleaded not guilty to three counts of third-degree rape, all E-class felonies and was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail. He is behind bars at the Niagara County Correctional Facility in Lockport, pending a preliminary hearing.

Porter was taken into custody Monday afternoon by Niagara County Sheriff's Office investigators. Sheriff Michael Filicetti said Porter was arrested after speaking with his investigators.

"After speaking with him (Monday), investigators determined they had sufficient evidence to arrest him," Filicetti said.

Law enforcement sources said Falls police first received "complaints" about Porter "about a month ago." They said that when it was determined that the alleged crimes occurred in the Town of Niagara, the investigation was shifted to the sheriff's office.

Following the complaints, Porter, who worked as a patrol officer overnights on the C Platoon, was reportedly transferred to "modified duty" and taken off the streets. In the aftermath of his arrest, Porter has been placed on a 30-day administrative leave.

Sheriff's investigators said the complaints against Porter involved a juvenile victim and did not take place while he was on duty as a Falls officer.

The criminal investigation into the case is described as "ongoing." Falls police say they have started their own internal affairs investigation of Porter.

Porter was a graduate of the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy's 80th Basic Training Class in August 2023. He was a pre-employment graduate of the academy and was hired shortly after graduation by the Lewiston Police Department.

In November, he transferred to the Falls Police Department.