FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. — Kristen Porter, 29, has been charged with multiple state and federal crimes following her connection to a deadly ambush in Darlington County that left Deputy Devin Mason dead and another deputy injured.
Background and Initial Arrest
Porter was first arrested on May 2026 on an unlawful conduct toward a child charge after a child born in February 2025 tested positive for cannabinoids. Investigators say Porter and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Cameron Dennett, frequently smoked marijuana and methamphetamine while transporting a 3-year-old and a baby.
SLED previously charged Porter with two counts of unlawfully placing a child at risk, linked to information uncovered during the investigation into the July 1, 2025 ambush on Old Timers Court in Lamar, where Deputy Mason was fatally shot.
Grand Jury Indictment and Federal Charges
Porter has been handed a five-count grand jury indictment in connection with Mason’s death. She also faces federal charges for making false statements while purchasing firearms in February and March 2025, which she allegedly provided illegally to Dennett.
Federal authorities allege Porter acted as a “straw” purchaser, buying guns from Academy Sports + Outdoors for Dennett, a convicted felon who used one of the firearms in the fatal ambush.
Civil Lawsuit
On April 1, 2026, Mason’s mother filed a lawsuit against Porter and others, alleging illegal drug use and sales by Porter and Dennett. The lawsuit highlights Porter’s role in illegally obtaining firearms for Dennett and others despite federal prohibitions.
The Ambush
Authorities say Dennett ambushed Deputies Mason and Jacob Heatherly inside a home, resulting in Mason’s death and Heatherly’s injury. Both Porter and Dennett’s mother were arrested at the scene.
Additional Charges
Warrants indicate Porter and Dennett were also wanted in Florence County for fraud, involving presenting bank routing and account numbers from victims. Porter’s charges from the initial arrest include criminal conspiracy, forgery, and computer crime.
