Laurel Blankenship of Bluefield has been sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy to commit witness tampering, followed by one year of supervised release. The sentencing follows a federal jury’s decision on January 18, 2024, which found both Laurel and her husband, Terry Leon Blankenship, guilty after a one-day trial.
Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that between April 4, 2023, and July 25, 2023, the couple conspired to influence the testimony of a witness involved in a federal sex trafficking case against Terry Leon Blankenship. The witness was a 12-year-old girl who initially alleged that Terry Leon Blankenship paid her for sexual activity with items such as vapes. This led to his indictment on charges of sex trafficking of a minor under the age of 14.
During an investigation by West Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS), the minor recanted her allegations amid potential foster care placement. Recorded jail calls revealed conversations between the Blankenships about ensuring the minor maintained her recantation, including discussions about bribing her with an iPhone.
At the time of these events, Terry Leon Blankenship was already registered as a sex offender following his guilty plea to possession of child pornography in December 2008. He had been sentenced to over eight years in prison and was serving lifetime supervised release when these new charges emerged.
Following an evidentiary hearing, it was determined that Terry Leon Blankenship engaged in sexual acts with the minor female and that her initial disclosure was credible while her later recantation was not. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston commented on Laurel Blankenship’s role: “Despite knowing that her husband was on federal supervised release and not permitted to be around children, Laurel Blankenship allowed children into their home including overnight.” She stated this environment enabled further abuse.
Terry Leon Blankenship was also convicted for interfering with federal sex trafficking laws and attempted witness tampering. On May 27, he received a sentence of twelve years in prison followed by lifetime supervised release. A revocation hearing for alleged violations is scheduled for June 10.
The announcement came from Johnston who praised the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department’s investigative efforts. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentences while Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Rada Herrald and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Isabell prosecuted.
For more information or related court documents, refer to PACER Case No. 1:23-cr-97 or visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office website for Southern District of West Virginia.
