Christopher R. Blankenship, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Kentucky 2022

Bowling Green, KY – In a harsh reminder of the consequences of violating federal firearms laws, a Tennessee man was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for illegally possessing multiple firearms. The sentencing marks a significant win for law enforcement and a warning to those who would seek to skirt the law.

According to court documents, Christopher R. Blankenship, 42, of Lafayette, Tennessee, was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a Ruger, model P94, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson, model SD40 VE, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, and ammunition on June 12, 2022, in Allen County, Kentucky. The sentence was handed down by federal authorities who charged Blankenship with violating federal firearms laws.

Blankenship’s run-ins with the law date back to 2013 when he was convicted of vehicular homicide-intoxication in Macon Circuit Court, Macon County, Tennessee. Just two years prior, in 2011, he was convicted of aggravated assault in the same court. As a result of these convictions, Blankenship was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

On June 12, 2022, ATF agents and Allen County Sheriff’s Office deputies caught up with Blankenship in Allen County, Kentucky, and discovered the illicit firearms. The discovery marked a significant blow to Blankenship’s efforts to skirt the law.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched the program in 2021, setting forth a strategy to strengthen community-based organizations, set focused enforcement priorities, and measure results. The program seeks to bring together law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce crime and make neighborhoods safer.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Yurchisin II and R. Nicholas Rabold prosecuted the case, while U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett and Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the ATF Louisville Field Division made the announcement. The ATF Bowling Green Field Office, with assistance from the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation.

There is no parole in the federal system, leaving Blankenship to serve out his sentence behind bars. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating federal firearms laws and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to keep communities safe.

The case is a testament to the importance of community-based programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods in reducing crime and making neighborhoods safer. By working together, law enforcement and the communities they serve can make a real difference in the fight against crime.

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