Man Charged with Strangling Apple Valley Woman During Argument

A Minneapolis man has been charged with domestic assault by strangulation after authorities say he pinned an Apple Valley woman against a doorway last week by the throat.

Willie B. Porter Jr., 20, faces a felony charge of domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. 

Porter remained in the Dakota County Jail on Tuesday on a $25,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled for Oct. 17 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.

According to the criminal complaint, Apple Valley police were called to a report of a domestic assault Sept. 22 and met with the woman, who said she had an “altercation” with Porter, whom she described as her on-again, off-again boyfriend. 

The woman said she and Porter were packing her belongings because she was in the process of moving out, and while they were working, Porter shattered the glass on a living-room table.

She told police that she became upset and began arguing with Porter, who began breaking other things. When she tried to leave the bedroom, Porter allegedly poked her in the head with his fingers, she said.

She went to the garage, where she said Porter tried to keep her from leaving by standing in her way, according to the complaint. He allegedly tried to grab her purse and coat, but after a short struggle she was able to get away, she said.

The woman went to a neighbor’s home, but as she was ringing the doorbell, Porter ran up behind her, pinned her in the corner of the doorway and choked her, according to the complaint. The neighbor came outside, saw Porter choking the victim and tried to help pull him off her, the complaint says.