Back in October of 2016, 35 year old Wesley Blackburn told his wife that he had impregnated a 15 year old member of his youth group. It was the result of a 7 month relationship that the victim’s parents called a “manipulation.” Friday, Blackburn was sentenced to 15 to 40 years in prison.
That October, Blackburn told his wife that his plan was to get the young girl’s parents to sign their approval for them to get married and that he was in love with her. After, his wife called the head pastor at First Brethren Bible Church, Jim Espenshade, who alerted state police, leading to Blackburn’s arrest.
Blackburn pleaded guilty to the 181 counts that included 84 counts of statutory sexual assault. In court Friday, family and friends of both the victim and Blackburn filled the court room.
The victim’s father spoke first, describing the way he says Blackburn manipulated his power as youth pastor to take advantage of his daughter. He said Blackburn had his daughter sneaking out and “coached her to avoid detection.” He says the tragic events even made him “feel like (he) failed as a father.”
The young girl’s mother also spoke. She claimed that Blackburn used scripture to manipulate her daughter. She said he would tell her that because they hadn’t been caught, “This is what God wanted.” In an emotional plea, she told the Honorable Judge Travis Livengood that she felt he would offend again if given the chance to be released.
On Blackburn’s behalf, his wife and father spoke of a changed man. His wife claimed the man in court was a different man that she saw that October day. She spoke of the difficulties of raising and providing for their 5 children on her own. She ask for Judge Livengood to take into consideration the fact that she and her children were also victims of her husband’s actions.
Blackburn himself also spoke for nearly an hour. He said, “I hate what I’ve done.” He detailed what he believe led to his “poor judgment.” Describing himself as a “people pleaser” he said that there were a series of missteps that were fueled by his desire to become a better youth pastor. He said he “should have noticed the dangers.”
Those missteps included private emails between him and the young girl that led to private meetings. Eventually he said he was, “blinded by emotions” leading to him telling the girl that he loved her after she also professed her love for him.
Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said letters from Blackburn’s supporters presented to the court argued that the relationship was consensual. Higgins said, “You can’t have a consensual relationship with a 15 year old girl.
Higgins asked that Blackburn be sentenced to 25 to 50 years. Blackburn’s Attorney Robert Donaldson sought a total of 5 years a 3 months with sentences running concurrently.
In the final sentencing Judge Livengood said that this was his “most difficult sentencing.” He spoke about weighing all of the factors, including the impact this has had on the victim and her family in addition to the impact to Blackburn’s family.
Higgins believes that impact was not enough to lighten the sentence. He said, “You can’t just go ‘oh well you have a wife and kids at home so all is forgotten.’ I mean, that is not how the criminal justice system works. So yeah ,that weighed heavily on my heart. I’m sure it weighed on everyone’s heart but there had to be dire consequences for this bad decision and there were.”
Judge Livengood felt that Blackburn’s statement showed a degree of remorse but that he wasn’t all the way there yet and need further rehabilitation in the state prison system. Higgins agreed with the judge’s evaluation saying, “I think that was probably the thing that hit me the most. Here he is In his moment to saying he’s sorry and he comes out with ‘hey, this 15 year old came on to me.’ He’s a pastor he should have known better he should have stayed away. “
While admitting that Blackburn’s remorse was low when he was first arrested, Attorney Donaldson says he sees remorse now. He explained, “Ever since I met him in April of this year I believe he has the remorse. I will also tell you that when he was first arrested he was in some deniability, plausible deniability or otherwise and I know he’s made a transition since April of this year.”
Judge Livengood said Blackburn’s actions showed “selfishness.” He said while weighing the impact of Blackburn’s children being without a father, he told Blackburn that he should have “been with his children in the 7 months he was having a relationship with a 15 year old.”
Blackburn will now have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. According to Attorney Donaldson, they will file a reconsideration of sentence due to the length of deliberation Judge Livengood went through to come to the final sentence of 15 to 40 years. That has to be filed within the next 10 days.
