NEWTON, N.C. — Police in Newton arrested a man twice in a week as part of an investigation into child exploitation.
Donald Blankenship, 46, was first arrested on Wednesday, then again on Friday after investigators said they identified another victim in the case.
(Donald Blankenship)
The investigation started in Joplin, Missouri, where authorities arrested David Perkins, 33, in connection with sexual exploitation of a minor. The U.S. attorney in Missouri announced that Perkins was charged with sexually assaulting a child in order to produce child pornography.
(David Perkins)
Perkins, also from Newton, was renting his home to Blankenship and may have been involved in the same activity there.
Officers obtained a search warrant and seized evidence from Blankenship’s home.
"We want to know about it because it is a priority to us,” Newton Police Chief Don Brown said. “So, if there are any other victims with this particular individual, I want them to come forward."
Mary Anderson lives next door to Blankenship in Newton and she is in disbelief her neighbor has been accused of committing sex crimes against children.
She said he’s helped mow her yard on several occasions.
Mary Anderson, Neighbor
"Because he's a nice man, he does so much for me,” Anderson said.. He's just always been a nice neighbor."
Blankenship faces three counts of indecent liberties with children and two counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. He is in the Catawba County Jail under a $100,000 bond.
Police are asking any other potential victims of Blankenship or Perkins to contact the Newton Police Department at 828-465-7430.
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