FARMINGTON — The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announces the arrest of 39-year-old David Keith Blankenship and 28-year-old Karlie Paige Blankenship, both of Farmington, Mo.
Photos provided by St Francois County Sheriff’s office.
Both were arrested Friday, May 30, 2024, for attempted sexual trafficking of a child and attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, following an investigation by the Special Victims Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control.
The State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.
In March of 2024, investigators with the Special Victims Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control received information that a social media account associated with David Blankenship, had uploaded a video file of suspected child pornography.
Investigators executed St. Francois County search warrants for the social media accounts of Blankenship and located conversations between he and his wife, Karlie Blankenship, which support the belief the pair were actively planning to sexually traffic a child and use that child in a sexual performance.
Furthermore, investigators executed a St. Francois County search warrant at Blankenship’s Farmington, Mo. home and located additional evidence to support the criminal allegations.
On Friday, May 30, 2024, investigators arrested David and Karlie Blankenship for attempted sexual trafficking of a child and attempted use of a child in a sexual performance.
On Saturday, May 31, 2024, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged each with one count of attempted sexual trafficking of a child and one count of attempted use of a child in a sexual performance.
David Blankenship is currently being held in the Ste. Genevieve County Jail, with no bond.
Karlie Blankenship is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail, with no bond.
The above charges are mere accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of these charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
The Division of Drug and Crime Control encourages internet users to promptly report to the Patrol or local law enforcement anyone who attempts to engage in unwanted, inappropriate, or sexualized communications with children.