In 2021, John Blanchard, 51, was arrested for soliciting prostitution in an online sting operation. However, the charges against the Virginia Beach pastor were dropped 2 years later. Blanchard has maintained his innocence through the entire process and has returned to preaching at Rock Church of Virginia Beach. The scandal has become increasingly political, and the police chief and commonwealth attorney are fighting over the case.
He was one of seventeen men initially arrested in 2021. A total of thirty-two charges were made. “During the two-day operation, detectives intercepted suspects who believed they were soliciting sex from minors through online and social media platforms,” the report reads. “The suspects communicated with people they believed to be underage members of our community …When the suspects came to the location, they were met by police and arrested.”
Pastor Blanchard was “arrested and charged with felony solicitation of prostitution and use of a vehicle to promote prostitution.” The community reacted with shock to the news of the arrest. Jim Booker, the pastor’s neighbor, told reporters, “This is a shock to me because I know him fairly well. He’s never given me any indication over the years that I’ve known him that he would be mixed up in anything like this.”
“I feel sad and sorry for him,” Booker said at the time. “I know evil is always present and always trying to take down those who claim Jesus Christ. I’m going to pray for him and be there for him. If he needs someone to talk to, I’m going to be there to talk to him.” When the arrest was made, Maj. Mike Louth of Chesterfield County Police Dept. made a statement.
“[The suspects] got the surprise of their life,” Louth said. “Anyone that tries to prey on the innocence of a child or a minor here in Chesterfield County, we’re going to hold you accountable.” Police report that the pastor was arrested with enough cash to cover the price of a prostitute. However, the pastor maintained his innocence from the very beginning.
In a live-streamed sermon, John Blanchard said, “Over the past several months, I’ve been the subject of vicious and inhuman accusations.” He added, “These statements are demonstrably false. You dress up a lie. You can twist it. You can misrepresent it. But I’m sorry, a lie is still a lie.” The pastor was supported by his church and returned to his office after charges were dropped.
“The word of God tells us not to bear false witness against our neighbor,” Blanchard said. “But, because particular organizations and individuals have made it very clear that they intend to destroy our church, my family, and this ministry … They have really left us no other choice but to fight for the truth,” he concluded. However, the case has been mired in political controversy.
Watch the pastor defend himself here:
While charges were initially dropped, the Commonwealth attorney is unsatisfied. “As a result of new information related to the case against John Blanchard that was provided to my office less than 48 hours ago, I intend to move the court to appoint a special prosecutor to determine whether this case should now be prosecuted, said Chesterfield’s Commonwealth’s Attorney, Stacey Davenport. However, the local police chief disagrees with her, and the controversy continues to this day.
Featured image from embedded video.
