Red Bay PD solves street gang crime

Franklin County was subject to a rare gang-related crime that started April 19 and resulted in the booking of Paul Porter, 23, into the Franklin County Jail April 24.

According to Red Bay investigator Lt. Rodney Belue, he was notified by a Belmont Police Department investigator April 19 about an incident involving Red Bay. Belmont PD had recovered a stolen gun during a vehicle stop.

“That led me to check another location, where we found a second gun,” Belue said.

That second location was an apartment, where investigators found a gun Porter had allegedly received from a minor as part of a gang-related drug and gun swap.

“We started questioning people and found information that led us to the gun and dope trade,” Belue said.

Porter was arrested and charged April 20 with compelling street gang membership, conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Belue, Porter was charged with compelling street gang membership because he informed the minor that he received the gun from, and gave pills to, that he would rise up two ranks in the gang if he completed the deal.

Compelling street gang membership is a class A felony, according to Franklin County district attorney Joey Rushing.

Belue said he is still investigating other aspects of the case that he cannot reveal at this time because they involve minors.