ABINGDON, Va. — A southwest Virginia man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison, after pleading guilty to child porn and weapons charges.
William Dean Blankenship, 42, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of producing child porn and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Acting on a tip, investigators searched his home back in February and discovered he had coerced 13- and 14-year-old children to engage in sexual activity with each other by giving them drugs. More than 50 video files of the children were discovered on his phone.
Officials say the sentence sends a message.
“Today’s lengthy sentence shows the commitment of the Department of Justice to protecting children from the type of abuse and coercive exploitation this defendant exhibited over several years,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said. “My Office will continue to investigate and prosecute all those who prey on our most vulnerable victims. I am grateful to the work of the Department of Homeland Security and the Virginia State Police for their work on this case.”
“Now, Mr. Blankenship will begin to pay for the horrific atrocities he committed,” said Ray Villanueva, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Washington, D.C. “This sentencing serves as another example to anyone who seeks to victimize our children, that we will work tirelessly to bring them to justice. HSI was proud to have partnered the Virginia State Police, as well as the Bland County and Giles County Sheriff’s Offices on this case.”
