Mercer County, WV (WOAY) – A Mercer County man and registered sex offender has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for witness tampering.
Terry Blankenship was convicted last year for interfering with federal sex trafficking and witness tampering laws.
Federal prosecutors say that the witness was a twelve-year-old girl who alleged that Blankenship traded her vapes and other items for sexual activity.
The victim later retracted the allegation however, investigators found audio and video jail calls between Blankenship and his wife about making sure the minor didn’t make the allegation again.
The two discussed bribing the victim with an iPhone.
United States District Judge Thomas Johnston said during sentencing that Blankenship did engage in sex acts with the victim, and her recantation of allegations was not credible.
In a statement, acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Johnston said quote, “The evidence showed that Terry Leon Blankenship was a registered sex offender on supervised release for possessing child pornography when he repeatedly sexually abused a minor female over several months. He preyed on her and then conspired to escape accountability for his crimes by attempting to corruptly persuade the minor to recant her initial allegations.”
