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Home > Blogs > Butler County Crime and Court News > Archives > 2010 > February > 15
Monday, February 15, 2010
Fairfield doc turns himself in early despite snowy weather
Identical twin brothers who once had a combined pediatrics practice of an estimated 6,000 patients are both now behind bars, nearly ending a twisted case that Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper described as “epic.”
Dr. R. Scott Blankenburg turned himself into Butler County deputies Monday morning, Feb. 15, to begin serving a 13-year prison sentence for sex and drug crimes involving minors.
The 54-year-old who practiced on Nilles Road in Fairfield clutched an envelope and prescription bottles as he walked from the parking lot to the lobby about 7:40 a.m.
Despite the heavy snowfall, he was early.
Last month he was sentenced to prison by Butler County Common Pleas Judge Noah Powers, but was given a stay until 8 a.m. to close up his practice, and the practice of his twin brother, Mark, which once operated on F Street in Hamilton.
In January, Scott Blankenburg pleaded guilty to compelling prostitution, two counts of bribery, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and complicity to deception to obtain a dangerous drug. One of the charges involved a former patient. Identical twin brother Mark Blankenburg was sentenced to 21 to 27 years in prison for molesting three former patients, and for other charges stemming from money and drugs he gave the victims for years to keep quiet. He was found guilty in October after a jury trial before Butler County Judge Keith Spaeth. There was no stay for Mark, he kissed his bother across the courtroom rail and was led away to jail.
Before December 2008, the middle aged doctors were prominent residents talking pictures on the sidelines of Hamilton High School ball games, with league passes in hand and playing poker with well-respected residents, including police officers. But detectives were also investigating Mark Blankenburg, having served search warrants at the homes shared by the twins.
Scott Blankenburg’s walk to jail, on a snowy February day ended a two-year investigation, 12 months of multiple indictments and pre-trial motions and a 14-day trial. Prosecutors say they have offered Mark a plea bargain that, if he takes it, will negate his second trial.
It is possible, the twins will be able to spend time together before being transported to Ohio prisons.
Mark Blankenburg remains housed at the Butler County Jail because he is scheduled to stand trial in May on multiple child pornography charges that were severed from the charges in the first case. Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer said the brothers could be housed in the same jail pod.
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