Charges against Blake Porter – a former Winfield business owner – have been significantly reduced as part of a plea agreement with Cowley County prosecutors.
The 57-year-old Porter pleaded guilty Monday to a single count of aggravated battery, a felony. Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m., Aug. 10.
The severity of the felony charge means Porter is likely to spend time in prison.
He entered what is referred to in legal parlance as an Alford Plea, which means he continues to maintain he is not guilty while pleading guilty for the purposes of reaching an agreement with prosecutors.
Porter had been accused of multiple sex crimes involving a female under the age of 14. Felony counts of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and indecent liberties with a child, were all dropped as part of this week’s agreement.
“After reviewing the evidence, it became apparent that this agreement was best for all involved in this case,” Cowley County attorney Larry Schwartz said Tuesday. “Beyond that, I can’t really comment.”
There was one alleged victim in the case and the incidents were said to have occurred while she was 13 and younger.
Porter was the long-time owner-operator of O’Kelley’s Sports Bar in Winfield. That business is no longer in operation.
He was arrested in the summer of 2019 and later released on bond.
Judge Nicholas St. Peter is presiding in this case.
