Niagara Falls Police officer pleads not guilty to rape charges

Rick Pfeiffer, Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, N.Y.
·1 min read

Apr. 23—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 pending a preliminary hearing.

Porter was taken into custody Monday afternoon by Niagara County Sheriff's investigators.

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

Law enforcement sources said Niagara Falls Police Department 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 involve a juvenile victim and did not take place while he was on duty.

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