Festus Man Convicted of Child Pornography Charges

St. Louis, MO – Jerris M. Blanks, 39, of Festus, was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis for one count of receipt of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.  Blanks’ trial took place before U.S. District Court E. Richard Webber and set a sentencing hearing for April 16, 2019.

According to testimony at trial, in 2011 a St. Louis County Detective engaged in a peer-to-peer contact with Blanks as part of an undercover operation.  Blanks was found to have over 500 pornographic images of minor children on his computer and another 60 such images on a CD.  Later in 2015, another investigation found that Blanks’ possessed more pornographic images of minor children. 

Possessing child pornography carries up to 20 years and a fine of $250,000 and receiving child pornography carries a minimum of 5 years to 20 years and a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Festus Police Department.  This case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Rob Livergood and Kyle Bateman and Investigator Donya Jackson.