Two Howell County men face felony charges in separate incidents that allegedly involved exposing themselves to minors.
Grant U. Porter
Grant U. Porter, 56, of Mtn. View, is charged with felonies of third-degree domestic assault; first-degree endangering the welfare of a child creating a substantial risk (first offense, with sexual contact); and resisting arrest for a felony. He is also charged with misdemeanor first-degree sexual misconduct.
According to court records, Mtn. View Police Officer Jacob Brixey and Cpl. Kylie McGee responded to a disturbance call at a Mtn. View residence around 12:38 a.m. on July 28.
Brixey reported that the victim remained on the phone with 911 dispatch while officers attempted to get someone to open the door. The caller told dispatchers that Porter was actively assaulting her and threatening to shoot her. Screaming could be heard over the dispatch radio.
Knowing an adult and a juvenile were inside, officers forced entry to prevent imminent harm. Inside, they found the woman and a 6-year-old girl, both crying and distraught.
Porter was taken into custody after reportedly pulling away from officers while being handcuffed. The adult victim told police Porter had returned home intoxicated, claimed he wrecked her car, and began throwing objects while searching for more alcohol.
During an argument, Porter allegedly punched the woman and struck her in the face with thrown objects while the child screamed for him to stop. The victim reported that Porter then dropped his pants, exposing himself to both her and the child.
Brixey noted that Porter appeared intoxicated and that injuries on the victim's face matched her account. Officers also found a hole in a bedroom door with blood on it, matching injuries on Porter's hand.
Porter’s initial $25,000 cash or surety bond was later reduced to $15,000 surety. Represented by Assistant Public Defender Lacon Smith, Porter pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear Monday before Associate 37th Circuit Judge R. David Ray for a criminal setting and bond review.
The case is being prosecuted by Howell County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Hutchings and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Sterling.
John C. Cason
John C. Cason, 46, of West Plains, is charged with felony sexual misconduct involving a child under the age of 15 after allegedly exposing himself to a teenage boy.
Howell County Deputy First Class Austin Deshazo reported taking a statement from the victim on July 16. The teenager said he was searching for his mother's car keys and asked Cason if he had them. When the boy asked Cason to prove the keys were not in his pockets, Cason allegedly pulled his shorts and underwear down to his ankles, causing the victim shock and distress.
Cason pleaded not guilty at an Aug. 12 arraignment. Court records indicate he plans to apply for a public defender and is scheduled to appear Sept. 8 before Ray for a criminal setting.
The case is being prosecuted by Hutchings and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Rizwan Ahad.
