Shaletta Porterfield, Miss Wisconsin USA, drops out of pageant facing identity theft charges

(CBS/AP) MILWAUKEE - Shaletta Porterfield was crowned Miss Wisconsin USA last year and would've competed in the nationwide Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas next month, but resigned Friday after being charged with several counts of identity theft.

The 26-year-old's lawyer says she acknowledged her mistakes, but expects to resolve the charges this summer.

Porterfield, of Madison, was charged in Dane County with three counts of misappropriating identity information to obtain money and has pleaded not guilty.

Attorney Robert Nagel told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he doesn't believe she actually gained any money from her actions.

"It's unfortunate, but she has a lot going for her, and she's ready to move on," Nagel told the newspaper.

Nagel said Porterfield relinquished the Miss Wisconsin USA crown to avoid any possible embarrassment to the pageant.

First runner-up Jordan Marie Morkin, of Green Bay, will now represent the Dairy State.