A La Marque man charged in the Sam's Club kidnapping is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl on Saltgrass Point Boulevard

LA MARQUE, Texas (KTRK) — For a mother from La Marque, living on a cul-de-sac near a park is a dream. Until her daughter told her that she recognized the mugshot of a man who lived down the street.

“She asked her sister, 'Do you know the guy who has the dog and the flashlight?' She said, 'Yeah, so they saw him,'” the mother said.

The mother would like to remain unanimous due to its proximity to the park.

“This news is super scary because it’s just steps from my house,” she said.

Edmond Porter is the man accused of shooting at the park on Saltgrass Point Blvd. having met a 14 year old girl. in La Marque in March.

According to court documents, Porter invited the girl to come over and meet his teenage son, saying they had just moved into the neighborhood.

RELATED: Man arrested after allegedly kidnapping and robbing a woman in a Sam's Club parking lot in La Marque

When she arrived home less than a minute from the park, Porter allegedly sexually assaulted her and threatened to hurt her if she told anyone, law enforcement officials said.

Neighbors who live next door to Porter say they knew him as a friendly, outgoing person and were shocked to learn he was accused of such a serious crime.

About a month after the alleged assault, the teen told a parent what happened and police were called.

According to court documents, she was able to tell police where he lived and provide a description. A month later, she selected Porter from a series of photos.

ABC13 was told police tried unsuccessfully to contact Porter at his home to question him.

The Galveston district attorney's office declined to file charges, saying more investigative work was needed.

Charges were eventually filed, but only after a second serious crime had been committed.

La Marque police said it was Porter who kidnapped a woman at gunpoint in a Sam's Club parking lot last Friday.

ABC13 was told he forced the woman to drive to her home in League City, where she fled, called police and Porter was arrested.

After his arrest, he was again linked to the March attack and is now charged with both crimes.

Families in the area question why he remained uncharged for months and was allowed to move freely in the community.

“Something serious needs to be discussed; “This is the only park in the neighborhood, this is the focal point and it’s so full of people,” the neighbor said.

ABC13 asked La Marque police why Porter wasn't charged with the rape for months.

They said they would wait to conduct further interviews. According to court documents, police attempted to question Porter in jail after the kidnapping arrest, but he would not talk. Police fear there could be more victims.

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