A Davenport man was handed a harsh sentence yesterday for his involvement in a disturbing case of child pornography.
Bennjamin Riley Blankenship, 22, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for receipt and distribution of child pornography.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, law enforcement received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in January 2023 that Blankenship had uploaded images and videos containing child sexual abuse material to a Snapchat account registered to him.
A search warrant was executed on Blankenship’s residence. Law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices. The devices had all previously logged into the Snapchat account that uploaded child sexual abuse material.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Blankenship will be required to serve an eight-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Blankenship was also ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the Davenport Police Department.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006.
Related Federal Cases
- Eric Nathan Hans, Child Pornography Production, Iowa 2016 · Iowa
- Jacob Scott Watters, Receipt of Child Pornography, Iowa 2017 · California
- Donald Etheredge, Child Pornography Possession, Iowa 2013 · Iowa
- Jeffery Landheer, Possession of Child Pornography, Iowa 2024 · Iowa
- Scott Ristine, Child Pornography Distribution, Iowa 2017 · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Iowa
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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