Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale
Camden-Wyoming, DE- Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a an employee of a pony ride company after he inappropriately touched a juvenile customer at an area orchard late last month.
The investigation began on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, after a representative of the Fifer Orchards contacted troopers to report that on Saturday, October 29, 2016, a nine-year old female had been with her mother at the orchards located at 1919 Allabands Mill Road, Camden-Wyoming. While there the nine year old took part in the pony rides which were being offered by Angels Gather Here Pony Rides on the orchard grounds. At the conclusion of the ride, the female advised her mother that the male subject who had assisted her in mounting and dismounting the pony, later identified as John R. Blackburn, 33, of Houston, had inappropriately touched her. The mother of the victim then contacted the owner of the pony ride company and a representative of Fifer Orchards and reported the incident.
On Friday, November 4, 2016, John Blackburn, who is a registered Tier 3 sex offender, was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 3. He was then charged by detectives with Unlawful Sexual Contact of a Child by a Registered Sex Offender and Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender Within Three Days after a Change in Employment. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $106,000.00 cash bond.
The Delaware State Police are continuing their investigation into this incident and more charges are expected. Please contact Angles Gather Here Pony Rides with any questions concerning the employment status of John R. Blackburn.
If anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Detective William Miller at 302-698-8435. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”
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Released: 110616 0750
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