In June, a special prosecutor appointed by the Chesterfield County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office announced that no new charges would be brought against Blanchard, even though the case against him was “sound.”
The reasoning behind this decision was that Blanchard had honored “his half” of an “unwritten plea agreement,” which included the requirement that Blanchard submit to specialized counseling.
RELATED: Criminal Case Against Pastor John Blanchard To Be Reviewed by Special Prosecutor
Blanchard’s request to have his records sealed has now again been granted.
In court on Wednesday (Aug. 23), a judge said that he “didn’t have any other choice under the law” but to grant the request. The special prosecutor is not expected to object to the ruling.
Of the 16 men with whom Blanchard was arrested in 2021, 13 have been found guilty of at least one charge.
Blanchard was previously accused of sexually assaulting a former assistant in 2018. The assistant pressed charges in 2019, but Blanchard was acquitted. During that time, Blanchard continued in his duties as pastor of Rock Church.
