John Blanchard is the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is an ardent Trump supporter who editorialized on behalf of Trump. He remains the pastor despite his 2021 arrest for soliciting a minor. He was talking to an undercover officer. He was told he was meeting for sex with a 17-year-old girl. He arrived at the spot with money for the transaction and was arrested by the police.
Charges were withdrawn, though with the ability to file them again. The Chief of Police expressed his anger with the decision. Blanchard’s lawyers filed to get the arrest expunged. Blanchard then publicly claimed the charges were lies.
Enough suspicion about the prosecution and what she called political accusations led the prosecutor to request a special prosecutor. A special prosecutor was appointed in February 2023.
- 13 News Show: Documents detail new evidence against Virginia Beach pastor John Blanchard
- 13 News Show: Chesterfield County CA says new info received in John Blanchard case, will bring in special prosecutor
- ABC 8 News: Chesterfield judge sets deadline in solicitation case against Virginia Beach pastor
Newport News, Virginia · Thursday, March 23, 2023