
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 12, 1995                   TAG: 9504120045
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SEX MOLESTER GETS 6-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE

A 43-year-old Roanoke County man who was convicted of sexually molesting two girls was sentenced to six months in jail and four years' probation Tuesday.

Gary Wayne Blankenship pleaded guilty Feb. 28 to two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Prosecutors did not pursue two additional charges - one count of attempted rape and one count of attempted carnal knowledge - because Blankenship agreed to plead guilty to the two lesser charges.

Blankenship told Roanoke County Circuit Judge Roy B. Willett that he fondled the two girls, ages 11 and 13, but denied that he tried to have intercourse with them.

Under the sentence Willett handed down Tuesday, Blankenship will be required to participate in counseling and may be eligible for work release. He was ordered to begin serving his sentence Monday.

by CNB