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Search for suspect in killing heats up

A reward is offered and an America's Most Wanted segment is planned for the man who police say shot into a car.

By ABBIE VANSICKLE
Published September 12, 2006

TAMPA - In April, police accused Orthia Porter of killing Antonio Cummings after an argument.

Porter, 26, pulled out a handgun and sprayed a car with bullets, police say. Cummings, 24, was hit several times. Another bullet narrowly missed an 11-month-old child in the back seat.

But Porter remains on the loose. That's why authorities are now offering up to $5,000 for any information leading to his arrest. They have planned a segment on America's Most Wanted. Federal investigators with the U.S. Marshals Tampa Bay Area Fugitive Task Force were called in.

"I'd like to give some closure to the family of the victim," said St. Petersburg Detective Robert Stewart.

Investigators believe Porter's extensive network of family and friends in the area has helped him dodge law enforcement.

They fear he will commit more crimes.

"I think he's capable of killing someone else," said Deputy U.S. Marshal Lisa Alfonso.

It was 7:30 p.m. on April 14, when Porter and Cummings argued at 982 23rd Ave. S.

Porter pulled out a gun, witnesses told police. When Cummings tried to leave, climbing into a black four-door Oldsmobile driven by his 20-year-old girlfriend, Roshanda Landers, Porter fired the weapon several times, police say. Landers' child, Amari Washington, was in the back of the car.

The car was hit several times. Cummings, too, was struck, police say. Landers drove him to Bayfront Medical Center, where he died.

The case wasn't hard to follow, detectives explained. Several eyewitnesses identified Porter as the shooter. Finding him turned out to be the hard part.

Police estimate Porter has 50 to 60 cousins, not to mention a long list of friends and associates, in the area. Police have not been able to pinpoint where he is staying. He may even be living elsewhere and returning occasionally to the area.

But police are certain someone in St. Petersburg knows where he is.

Anyone proven to have helped Porter hide from authorities could face a stiff punishment, Alfonso said. A federal charge of harboring a fugitive is punishable by up to five years in prison, she said.

Porter's criminal history goes back to his teen years. He was arrested in June 1996 on charges of auto burglary, auto theft and vehicle theft.

Also known as "Hog" and "Hoggie," he has been arrested 12 times for a variety of charges, including aggravated battery, lewd and lascivious act on a child younger than 16, kidnapping and child abuse, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Over the years, his crimes have become more violent, police say.

In 2002, police accused Porter of trying to kidnap his ex-girlfriend. They said he beat her and held her prisoner for days. On one occasion, he drove her around Orlando for two days, tying her up and stopping periodically so they could sleep in the car, police said.

Anyone with information can contact Alfonso at 813 299-4033 or Stewart at (727) 639-1125. Callers' names will be confidential.

Abbie VanSickle can be reached at (813) 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 12, 2006, 00:40:55]