Two men sentenced to life in prison in separate Mississippi County cases

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — Two defendants were sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in separate cases involving violent and sexual offenses, according to court officials.

Mississippi County Circuit Court Judge R. Zac Horack imposed the sentences Jan. 6, citing the severity of the crimes and the harm caused to victims.

Marcus Wharton, of Charleston, was sentenced to life in prison, to be served consecutively to any sentence he is currently serving, following a guilty plea entered July 1, 2025. Wharton pleaded guilty to first-degree assault involving a special victim. Prosecutors said the victim was a correctional officer at the Southeast Correctional Center who was assaulted while performing official duties. The court imposed the maximum sentence allowed by law. The victim provided an impact statement during sentencing.

In a separate case, August Porter, also of Charleston, was sentenced following a two-day jury trial that concluded Oct. 28, 2025. A jury found Porter guilty on 12 felony counts, including endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree and second-degree statutory sodomy, and third-degree child molestation.

That case was consolidated with a related case in Cape Girardeau County and jointly prosecuted by Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney Claire Poley and Cape Girardeau County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Killen.

Porter was sentenced to multiple prison terms, including two life sentences ordered to run consecutively and consecutive to a prior Missouri Department of Corrections sentence, along with an additional life sentence to be served concurrently.

“Accountability is not optional when lives are harmed,” Poley said in a statement, adding that the sentences send a clear message that violence against correctional officers and crimes against children will be met with severe consequences.

Poley also thanked law enforcement agencies involved in the investigations, including the Missouri Department of Corrections, the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office and the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

The Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said it remains committed to pursuing justice for victims and protecting public safety.