Investigation of Niagara Falls police officer accused of rape will be reviewed by Niagara County grand jury

May 3—The case of a Niagara Falls Police officer, charged in connection with three separate rapes in the town of Niagara, is headed to a Niagara County grand jury.

Martice D. Porter, 21, of Niagara Falls, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Town of Niagara Court and was released from custody on $20,000 bail. By waiving his right to what is known as a "speedy hearing" to determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge a crime, Porter agreed to have the case reviewed by a grand jury.

Porter was charged in a criminal complaint with three counts of third-degree rape. The charges are all E-class felonies and he has pleaded not guilty to all of them.

He was taken into custody on April 22 by Niagara County Sheriff's Office investigators. Sheriff Michael Filicetti said Porter was arrested after speaking with his investigators.

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

Law enforcement sources said Niagara Falls Police Department first received "complaints" about Porter more than 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 was placed on a 30-day administrative leave.

Sheriff's investigators said the complaints against Porter involve a juvenile victim and the alleged crimes did not take place while he was on duty as an NFPD officer. No other details of the allegations against Porter have been released.

The criminal investigation into the case is described as "ongoing." NFPD says it has started its own internal affairs investigation of Porter.