Monroe County deputy arrested for soliciting nude photos from a minor
Oct. 27—UNION — A Monroe County deputy was arrested Thursday on multiple felony charges including using minors in filming sexually explicit conduct and the distribution and display of obscene matter to a minor.
Evan Paul Blankenship, a deputy with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, was arrested, according to Capt. R.A. Maddy, deputy chief of staff for the West Virginia State Police.
On April 1, Sgt. S. S. Keaton with the state police initiated an investigation into Monroe County Deputy Evan Paul Blankenship for soliciting nude photographs from a minor, Maddy said.
During his investigation, Keaton seized evidence that was examined by the West Virginia State Police Digital Forensic Laboratory. Multiple photographs of underage females (14-17 years old) in a nude or partially nude manner were recovered from the evidence, Maddy said in a statement issued Thursday.
Keaton continued his investigation and spoke with Special Prosecutor Brian Cochran, who is the Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney, regarding his findings.
Cochran instructed Sgt. Keaton to charge Blankenship with offenses including: three counts of using minors in filming sexually explicit Conduct; four counts of distribution and display of obscene matter to a minor; three counts of possession of child erotica; and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Keaton obtained warrants Wednesday for Deputy Blankenship from Monroe County Magistrate Frank Basile, Maddy said. Blankenship was arrested Thursday on the charges, arraigned and then released on a $30,000 bond.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, Maddy said.
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
