Associate Pastor charged with sexual battery

JONES COUNTY, Miss. - This is a press release from the Jones County Sheriff's Department.

On September 20, 2016, the Department of Human Services contacted Jones County Sheriff’s Investigators concerning a report of an inappropriate relationship between a young female and family member, Ramon Porter, 38 of Laurel, an associate pastor at a local church.

The juvenile had stated to her mother that Porter had, on multiple occasions, inappropriate relations with her. As the investigation continued, a forensic interview was scheduled and conducted with the juvenile.

During the interview, it was revealed that Porter had been involved in this relationship for a long period of time.

Porter voluntarily met with the Jones County Sheriff’s Investigators on September 23, 2016, when he admitted to the acts of which he was accused. He was taken into custody and charged with two counts of Sexual Battery. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

His bond was set at $200,000.