MONROE COUNTY W.Va. (WVDN) – A Monroe County Deputy has been arrested. The West Virginia State Police released the following statement.
“On Saturday, April 1, 2023, Sergeant S. S. Keaton initiated an investigation into Monroe County Deputy, Evan Paul Blankenship for soliciting nude photographs from a minor. During his investigation Sergeant 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. Sergeant Keaton continued his investigation and spoke with Special Prosecutor Brian Cochran regarding his findings. Special Prosecutor Brian Cochran instructed Sergeant Keaton to charge Deputy Blankenship with:
“Using Minors in Filming Sexually Explicit Conduct (3 Counts), Distribution and Display of Obscene Matter to a Minor (4 Counts), Possession of Child Erotica (3 Counts) and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (2 Counts).
“On October 25, 2023, Sergeant Keaton obtained warrants for Deputy Blankenship from Monroe County Magistrate Frank Basile.
“On October 26, 2023 Deputy Blankenship was arrested on the before mentioned charges, arraigned and released on a $30,000 bond. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”
