According to the arrest affidavit, Blackburn, while packing up his belongings in his church office on Thursday afternoon, told a state trooper that he started having a sexual relationship with the teen in March. He allegedly acknowledged that he was the father of the unborn baby before he was arrested and taken into custody.
Blackburn's wife told police that her husband admitted to the affair and told he wanted a divorce. She refused to sign divorce papers, and instead, went to Espenshade for advice. Espenshade, who has a daughter of his own, admitted he was shocked and disappointed.
"[I feel] disappointed, betrayed, stabbed in the back. I have a 14-year-old granddaughter. When I heard what he did - upset is a good word for it."
Arkansas Matters reports that the former youth pastor allegedly sent a message to the teen saying, "I never anticipated that I would fall so madly in love w U," followed by another message that read, "I laid awake imagining u on our wedding day & how incredible that day will be."
Similar to the Blackburn incident, the pastor of the church immediately fired Russell and called the police. He was arrested and charged with 4th degree sexual assault. The outcome of Russell's case was not immediately clear.
In August, 41-year-old David Farren, a former youth pastor at several area churches in Texarkana, Arkansas, was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. He was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual assault in the first degree. He's awaiting his next court hearing.
The victim was a member of the youth group that Farren once led. According to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell, there may be additional victims that will come forward against Farren.
"We do believe there are additional victims that will come forward."
The victim claimed that she looked up to Mitchell, but she never gave him permission to sexually assault her.
"I did not give him permission. I clearly said 'no, didn't want to.' I felt like he tricked me."
[Featured Image by New Paris Police Department]
