Missouri sheriff's deputy, wife charged with attempted trafficking

Lina PortmanJune 7, 2024

5 1 minute read

A Missouri sheriff's deputy and his wife have been arrested on charges of attempted sex trafficking of a child under 12 and attempted use of a child for sexual purposes, authorities say.

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department said David K. Blankenship39 years old, and Karlie Blankenship28, were being held without bail in connection with the case, Front Page Detectives reported.

David Blankenship was fired “immediately after command staff were informed of the allegations by members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol,” law enforcement said.

According to Karlie's Facebook account, she identified herself as “St. Francois County 911 Shift Manager,” but it is unclear if she is still employed by the county.

MSHP conducted the investigation and charges were filed on May 31, according to court documents obtained by KSDK.

Court documents show the investigation began in March after investigators were tipped off to a TikTok account associated with the deputy that had uploaded a video of alleged child abuse.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and allegedly discovered David Blankenship was using the account, which he also used to communicate with his wife, according to court documents.

The couple had “sexually themed conversations” via direct message and shared videos of young girls they found attractive, according to the documents.

The two also allegedly discussed their sexual attraction to children and “how to locate local children,” according to the documents.

Authorities said the messages “support the belief that the two men were actively planning to sex traffic a child and use that child in a sex performance.”

Investigators obtained an additional search warrant, which was executed at the Blankenship home, and said they discovered additional evidence related to the case.

“As these disturbing allegations continue to come to light, Sheriff (Daniel) Bullockand the entire department, are angry and dismayed by this individual’s betrayal of the public trust,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

The Blankenships were being held without bail: David Blankenship at the St. Genevieve County Jail and Karlie Blankenship at the Jefferson County Jail.