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A tattoo artist in New Mexico, was indicted by a grand jury after a 19-year-old woman accused him of seriously inappropriate conduct during an appointment at his tattoo shop. Billy J. Porter was working at Porter House Ink Piercing and Tattoo when the alleged incident occurred in April 2026. According to investigators, the 19-year-old woman went to the business for an appointment, but what was supposed to be a routine visit allegedly took a disturbing turn after she and Porter were left alone inside the shop. According to court documents, Porter allegedly provided the woman with alcohol despite her being under the legal drinking age. The woman told investigators that she consumed enough alcohol to begin feeling its effects while she was at the business. Authorities allege that once Porter and the woman were alone, he began crossing professional boundaries. The woman accused Porter of continuing despite her not consenting to what was happening. Investigators also alleged that part of the encounter was recorded without the woman's permission. The woman eventually reported what happened to law enforcement, prompting authorities to begin gathering evidence surrounding her allegations. According to court records, investigators collected forensic evidence and photographs as part of the case. The woman also underwent an examination following the reported incident, and prosecutors said multiple injuries were documented. As investigators continued building the case, prosecutors argued that Porter should not be released while awaiting trial. During the pretrial proceedings, the state pointed to the woman's account, the documented injuries and other investigative evidence that prosecutors said supported portions of her timeline. A judge ultimately agreed to keep Porter in custody without bond. In the detention ruling, the court determined that there were no release conditions that would reasonably protect the community while the case was pending. The case then moved forward to a grand jury. On April 21, Porter was indicted on five felony charges. Those charges included three serious counts related to the alleged encounter, another count involving alleged inappropriate contact resulting in injury, and a charge related to providing alcohol to someone under the legal drinking age. The indictment meant that prosecutors could move forward with the case in district court. Porter was expected to appear for an arraignment following the grand jury's decision while remaining in custody without bond. Court records also showed that a separate request for a protection order had been filed in connection with the situation. Proceedings surrounding that request continued separately from the criminal case. What began as a 19-year-old woman visiting a Las Cruces tattoo shop for an appointment ultimately developed into a major criminal investigation. Authorities say the woman's report, physical evidence gathered afterward and additional investigative fi
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