Jackson man charged with statutory rape
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DOWNTOWN JACKSON — Police arrested a Jackson man accused of statutory rape after he allegedly got a teenage girl pregnant. An attorney entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Dylan Blankenship, 25, in Jackson City Court on Wednesday. Blankenship faces a statutory rape charge. “As a tax paying citizen, an American, it concerns me,” Jackson resident Billy Melton said. A girl, now 17, told Jackson police she had sex with Blankenship at his house on Thomas Cove in North Jackson, according to an affidavit. Melton lives not far from the house. “It could happen anywhere,” he said. Investigators said the alleged victim told them the relationship started in the fall of 2013. According to an affidavit, the girl told officers she was 16 at the time and Blankenship was 24. Police said the victim told them Blankenship knew her age when the relationship started. “If the victim is over the age of 13, but less than 18, then even if the sex is consensual between the two, it still makes it illegal if there’s more than a four-year age difference,” Sgt. Danielle Jones of the Jackson Police Department said. The teen‘s parents did not find out about the relationship until she got pregnant, according to an affidavit. Police said the girl‘s parents filed a complaint. “Just be careful,” Jones said. “Be mindful of who your children are communicating with and having relationships with.” Melton said the arrest surprised him. “I just didn’t have any idea that it would happen, you know, this close. No way,” he said. Blankenship is currently free on $5,000 bond. The judge ordered he have no contact with the alleged victim. Blankenship is scheduled to return to court Oct. 23.
