Hattiesburg Man Charged with Assaulting Minor in Oxford

71-year-old Auster Porter faces sexual battery charges after alleged incident.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:28pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handcuff key against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the serious nature of the alleged crime.A chilling close-up of the tools used to perpetrate crimes against the vulnerable highlights the gravity of this case.Oxford Today

A 71-year-old man from Hattiesburg, Mississippi has been arrested and charged with sexual battery for allegedly assaulting a minor in Oxford. The Oxford Police Department was notified by Child Protective Services on March 13 about a potential sexual assault, leading to an investigation that resulted in Auster Porter's arrest.

Why it matters

Allegations of sexual assault against minors are extremely serious and concerning for any community. This case highlights the importance of vigilant child protection efforts and the need for thorough investigations to hold perpetrators accountable.

The details

After being notified by Child Protective Services on March 13 about a potential sexual assault of a minor, the Oxford Police Department launched an investigation that led to the arrest of Auster Porter, 71, of Hattiesburg. Porter was taken into custody by the Hattiesburg Police Department and then transported to the Lafayette County Detention Center, where he was charged with sexual battery.

  • On March 13, the Oxford Police Department was notified by Child Protective Services about a potential sexual assault of a minor.

The players

Auster Porter

A 71-year-old man from Hattiesburg, Mississippi who was arrested and charged with sexual battery for allegedly assaulting a minor in Oxford.

Oxford Police Department

The law enforcement agency that was notified by Child Protective Services about the potential sexual assault and launched an investigation that led to Porter's arrest.

Child Protective Services

The agency that notified the Oxford Police Department about the potential sexual assault of a minor, prompting the investigation.

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What’s next

Porter is currently being held at the Lafayette County Detention Center, and the investigation is ongoing.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of vigilant child protection efforts and thorough investigations to ensure the safety and well-being of minors in the community.