Nov. 23, 2010

OVERLAND PARK MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – An Overland Park man who was arrested after fleeing to California with his stepdaughter has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Patrick Porter, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography. Investigators served a search warrant June 3, 2010, at Porter’s home, where they found photos of the girl in sexual poses on Porter’s computer. Children in the home at the time were taken into protective custody by the State of Kansas and placed with their maternal grandmother. With the help of his wife, co-defendant Barbara Porter, Patrick Porter removed the girl from protective custody and fled from Kansas. Patrick Porter and the girl were found later in California, where Patrick Porter was arrested.

Patrick Porter is set for sentencing Feb. 15, 2011. Prosecutors are asking for a sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Barbara Porter is set for trial Jan. 18, 2011, on charges of obstructing justice, harboring a fugitive and aiding and abetting the unlawful transportation of a minor.

Grissom commended the Overland Park Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin for their work on the case.