Both doctors are charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of criminal activity. The first-degree felony alleges the brothers were in collusion to commit the alleged crimes.
Several warrants have been served at the twin doctors’ residences on Susan Drive and South Washington Boulevard during the three-year Hamilton Police Department investigation, which began in 2007. Based on examination of computers and equipment taken as evidence in those searches, police went back to the residences on July 15 to search for more evidence.
According to the search warrant affidavit, a Visa card issued to Mark Blankenburg was used over a 17-month period to make 126 for a total of $14,00.
“According to the website ... it holds itself out as a membership based discreet bill service for purchasing ‘access to its affiliate entertainment web sites,” according to court documents. Many of the sites associated with entertainment site sell explicit pornographic content that “either is obscene, illegal, or involves illegal activity. Examples of this content include minors engaged in sexual activity, incest, rape and bestiality,” according to the court documents.
“Upon execution of the most recent search warrant, information was discovered that two Mac systems the defendant owned visited various web sites consistent with the printed illegal pornography,” according to court documents. E-mailed receipts also were found from the site for transactions on a live sex chat site in which chat with teenage boys is an available thread.
Taken from the Susan Drive residence were a computer tower found under a Ping-Pong table in the basement, a camera case in the basement next to the water heater, video tapes and computer cards found in a bedroom and entry room.
Seized from the Washington Boulevard residence was a computer. According to court records, both doctors were present when the warrant was served at that residence.
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper said examination of computers seized in previous searches revealed the possibility that more information been downloaded and stored in another location. He said investigators were looking for more evidence.
Attorney Michael Shanks, who is representing Mark Blankenburg, said investigators were “just back to see what they could find ... there is nothing new”
Shanks said the items seized in last week’s search were also at the residences when investigators searched previously and “they didn’t take then.”
Shanks acknowledged he believes the police and prosecutor are trying to bring more charges against his client.
A hearing before Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, July 24, to hear arguments on motions to clarify and/or dismiss some of the indictments against Mark Blankenburg
Scott Blankenburg’s trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 24 before Butler County Common Pleas Judge Noah Powers. Mark Blankenburg’s trial is scheduled for Oct. 5.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
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