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Mitchell Man Sentenced On Child Pornography Charges

Last updated on Thursday, March 27, 2014

(BEDFORD) - A Mitchell man who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and child exploitation was sentenced by Superior Court I Judge Michael Robbins Wednesday.

26-year-old Benjamin T. Blanton was arrested on warrants for felony charges of child exploitation and four counts of possession of child pornography on March 12, 2013.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Blanton sold a computer to a friend, who found the images in February 2013 and contacted police.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Blanton's home and found child pornography on four devices.

Chief Public Defender Lorinda Youngcourt told Judge Robbins that Blanton cooperated with police and voluntarily sought therapy and argued for a sentence of three years.

Youngcourt says that Blanton has been going to therapy sessions and he moved out of his Lawrence County home away from his wife and children to live with his parents in Knox County. His parents posted his $2,005 bond and he has actively been seeking work in Knox County and had two job interviews this week.

He will serve three years of supervised probation with one year on electronic monitoring and one year of unsupervised probation with credit for three days already served.

Judge Robbins ordered Blanton to follow standard probation terms and conditions, but issued special terms and conditions for Blanton as a registered sex offender, which are not available to the public.

Blanton asked Robbins if he would be able to see his wife and kids while on probation in Knox County. Robbins told Blanton he cannot give any legal advice, and Blanton would have to consult an attorney.

Blanton's case is being transferred to Knox County, and he will report to the probation department there.

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