Davenport said she decided to do this after new information related to the case was provided to her office "less than 48 hours" before her announcement. Blanchard was one of 17 people arrested in the prostitution sting that took place in October of Chesterfield Police Chief Jeffrey Katz said the suspects were soliciting sex from minors after communicating with individuals they believed to be underage and then meeting them at a location for sexual relations.
The "minors" were actually undercover detectives. Investigative files released to CBS 6 through a Freedom of Information Act request showed Blanchard first made contact with the "minor" through a known sex-worker website.
According to police records, an ad on the website indicated a year-old was available for sexual favors. Prices were listed. In text messages between Blanchard and the undercover investigator, Blanchard requested a "qv" which police said means "quick visit" among sex workers. Less than an hour before Blanchard said he arrived to meet the subject, the undercover cop texted, "ok im 17 if thats not cool i get it. Police charged Blanchard with solicitation of prostitution from a minor 16 or older and using a vehicle to promote prostitution or unlawful sex.
But Davenport's office eventually dropped the charges against Blanchard. Davenport ruled the case nolle prosequi, meaning she did not believe there was sufficient evidence to find Blanchard guilty.
In January, Blanchard's attorney filed to have criminal records expunged. Davenport did not oppose the motion to seal the records, but Chief Katz took issue with it on social media, calling it "bewildering. But I want to be clear; this is NOT due to a lack of evidence or a substandard investigation.
