Former St. Francois County Sheriff’s Deputy and Wife Arrested for Attempted Sexual Trafficking Involving a Minor

A former St. Francois County Sheriff’s Deputy and his wife have been arrested for attempted sexual trafficking involving a minor. David Keith Blankenship, 39, and Karlie Paige Blankenship, 28, were both taken into custody on May 30, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (MSHP DDCC).

The couple faces serious charges including attempted sexual trafficking of a child and attempted use of a child in a sexual performance. These arrests follow a thorough investigation conducted by the Special Victims Unit of the MSHP DDCC, with assistance from the State Technical Assistance Team and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began in March when the Special Victims Unit received information that a social media account linked to David Blankenship had uploaded a video file containing suspected child pornography.

Subsequent search warrants executed on David Blankenship’s social media accounts revealed conversations between him and his wife, Karlie, which indicated they were planning to sexually traffic a child and exploit the child in a sexual performance.

Further evidence supporting these allegations was discovered when investigators executed a search warrant at the Blankenships’ home in Farmington. Following these findings, both David and Karlie Blankenship were arrested on May 30.

The day after their arrest, on May 31, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged both individuals with one count of attempted sexual trafficking of a child and one count of attempted use of a child in a sexual performance.

David Keith Blankenship and Karlie Paige Blankenship mugshot

David Blankenship is currently being held without bond in the Ste. Genevieve County Jail, while Karlie Blankenship is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department has expressed their shock and sorrow over the serious nature of the allegations against their former employee and co-worker. They affirmed their commitment to assisting the MSHP DDCC in bringing this investigation to a conclusive end.