A man found guilty of beating and choking a woman, then giving a false name to the deputies when they arrived and arrested him, is set to be sentenced March 8, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Joseph Jarrod Porter, 29, was found guilty as charged of Domestic Battery by Strangulation and Giving a False Name Upon Being Arrested or Detained after about 1 hour and 15 minutes of deliberation Thursday, Feb. 3.
Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and that the defendant be held without bond pending his March 8 sentencing.
Prosecutor Frank Sullivan presented two witnesses – the victim and Bay County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chase Hale.
The victim testified the defendant became angry with her during an argument on Sept. 4, 2020, and testified he punched her repeatedly and choked her. The victim said she was unsure how to get off the wooded property but eventually was able to get to a neighboring home, and that resident called 911. The victim was taken to the hospital for her injuries.
Deputy Hale testified that the name the defendant gave during a sworn statement was discovered to be false a short time later, leading to the second charge.
Basford thanked the Bay County sheriff’s office deputies and investigators for their work on the case, as well as the neighbor who assisted the victim and called 911.
For additional information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or 850-381-7454.