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In a shocking new report an editor for TLC’s once popular Jon & Kate Plus 8 has been arrested on child pornography charges.
William Blankinship, 56, who has worked on a variety of TLC’s family-friendly shows, including 17 Kids And Counting and Kate Plus 8 was arrested Oct 21 in North Carolina when he was caught in a State Bureau Investigation sting called “Operation Spyglass.” Blankinship was one of 24 men who were arrested on felony charges for “possession and distribution of child pornography and/or sex acts with a minor,” RadarOnline reports.
The arrest report states William is charged with 10 counts of “sex exploit of minor (3rd) 14-1,” which basically states he was in possession of visual materials that represented a minor engaging in sexual activity of some kind.
At this time – thankfully – no bond has been set because according to a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, William will remain “under the authority of the U.S. Marshals until they are sentenced and convicted, and then they’d be sent to a Federal prison.” This means he remains in prison throughout his trial and then is moved to the penitentiary where he will serve out his sentence.
William was never actually an employee of TLC, but was hired by the network as a subcontractor employed by Serious Robots and Figure 8 Films to edit portions of their reality shows. “Upon learning of the shocking allegations his employment was terminated,” Figure 8 Films announced in a statement.
Because William was a subcontractor not employed by the network TLC has assured the public he was, never at any time, in contact with any of the eight Gosselin children. “At no time was this man ever in the field or in direct contact with any of the talent for any of our productions,” their statement promises.
In response to the allegations Jon Gosselin is speaking out about his “distress” related to the situation — particularly that William had a tremendous amount of access to “raw footage” of his children! “Of course we filmed potty training…” Jon reflected. “Any parent would be freaked out by this, because the cameraman definitely shot the kids getting ready for bed, being showered and being changed.”
“My first thought when I heard this was, ‘Oh my God!’” Jon revealed. “I’m sure everyone working on the show is shocked and never expected something like this.” Gosselin added that he met William “several times” through his association to the show. Wait – didn’t TLC deny that he had any contact with their reality stars?
Jon is not taking the news lightly and will be doing further investigation into the charges. “I have contacted an attorney and I’m trying to gather all the information from the authorities in North Carolina to see if there is any evidence he has footage of our family or if he has distributed it.”
As for what his ex-wife Kate Gosselin has to say, Jon plans to communicate with her about the matter. “I will write her an email because I feel this is going to explode, because it is so bad,” Jon regretfully explained.
Jon who has been against his children continuing on reality television, previously stated: “I put my kids out there to every pedophile on the planet and they never got paid for it,” of their involvement in television. Sadly, this is a case where it isn’t rewarding to be right.
As for Kate, so far she has not released a statement on the horrendous matter. The mom of many has been focusing her time in her new promotional role for CouponCabin.com and was snapped leaving for her job with the company.
It is our sincerest hope that no damage has come to the Gosselin children related to this matter. Reality Tea will continue to bring you the updates.
THOUGHTS ON THE NEWS? DOES JON HAVE LEGAL RIGHTS AGAINST THE NETWORK FOR THEIR FAILURE TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY?
Just another reason I would NEVER put my family on TV…you have no idea who has access to your children, or videos of them. Disgusting……
So true #1. This is absolutely disgusting.
And this is just one of the many reason why children shouldn’t be filmed in their own homes. Your childhood home should be a place of privacy and security. Not film crews and cameramen and lights.
Hope it was worth it to them.
Meant to add, children shouldn’t be on reality shows period.
Maddie the oldest child is crying again in the above picture. Seriously, she needs help she is always acting out……She is just like the mother.
Save the Gosselin eight! [from their parents et al]
I agree with everyone I can’t see myself putting my kids out in open world view like that way to many perverts out here these days! Thank god none of the kids were in contact with him!
Glad that pervert is getting what he deserves. One less scumbag on the street.
OMG, thinking that Jon is so right that TLC put out that the man never had access or contact with the children, but absolutely raw footage. That is just sickening to think yes, his kids were filmed (raw footage) during regular family time within the household. And not only Jon’s kids, but the man would have also had access to the Duggar family’s raw footage tapes?
This is Jon and Kate’s fault. Who lets their kids get filmed during potty training? It’s humiliating and an invasion of the most basic privacy. Showering? Changing? Awful.
Kate probably will somehow defend the whole thing because after all..she HAS to make money to keep up her lifestyle of hair extensions, Audi’s and multi-million dollar homes and private schools.
She will NEVER admit it was a mistake. Wait till those kids are teenagers (especially Maddy) ..not that’s a reality Kate won’t want anyone to witness
Good Lord.. This guy had access to a lot when the younger six were small… Baths, changing diapers, getting dressed, and potty training, which Kate was perfectly happy to show to all of her viewers. I hope Jon pushes the investigators to find everything this guy has stashed away. Horrible!
((“William had a tremendous amount of access to “raw footage” of his children! “Of course we filmed potty training…” Jon reflected. “Any parent would be freaked out by this, because the cameraman definitely shot the kids getting ready for bed, being showered and being changed.”))
Nice to know someone was probably getting their jollies as they watched your children do the most innocent of things….hopefully it will make Kate realize just how much she exposes her children to! Does she ever consider who may do the same watchign the show??? It’s still exposure!
Hopefully all these stupid ass parents that put their kids on TV just to make a buck will realize they have no control over who is ‘getting off’ watching THEIR kids!!!
@13 Mama..
Unfortunately this won’t stop Kate from trying to get them all on a new show, ASAP. Notice this happened days ago, and she hasn’t even addressed it.
I knew when this story broke that Jon and Kate would see this disgusting situation as a means to making big $$$ via launching a massive lawsuit against TLC. Jon and Kate signed on for and approved of TLC filming their children in all aspects i.e. potty training, changing for bed, shower, etc… Shame on them for allwoing TLC to do so. Some things should remain private and FAR from the viewing eye!
who films their children potty training? Idiots.
I truly pray none of these children were molested or ever are in the future. Sadly, when children are put out in the world like they were, this could certainly happen.
I don’t think that’s Jon’s angle, though #15.
“Jon is not taking the news lightly and will be doing further investigation into the charges. “I have contacted an attorney and I’m trying to gather all the information from the authorities in North Carolina to see if there is any evidence he has footage of our family or if he has distributed it.”
He stated above that he wants to see if there is any evidence that the man in question had footage (I’m sure he means via personal computers in his house, etc.) or if the man had ever distributed it (probably meaning via porn exchange websites, etc to other perverts). And there may not have ever been direct filming of potty training.. things could have been occuring in the household where they were indirectly filmed, like a child running naked down a hallway after a bath.. those are the types of things, that I’m sure he was referring to as raw footage. Same for the Duggars, if Mrs. Duggar is in the background changing Josie and they’re filming a younger child in the same room. The nasty, disgusting man could get his jollies off and surely in his field had the capability and technology to sharpen video images, etc. Just nasty and disgusting all the way around.
I agree though, it’s just bad to begin with that the Jon and Kate thing got out of hand. Poor kids.
famewhore Kate probably doesn’t have any comment, she obviously doesn’t care about anything that has to do with her children unless there are dollar signs attached
I’m glad he’s finally realizing what he put his kids through. But he’s an idiot. He’s worried about a guy that was editing these moments but the thought never occurred to him before? Another reason why you should have to be tested (like the DMV) before you should be allowed to have kids!
I smell LAWSUIT! Kate will probably be delighted with joy knowing this crap. I hope this sicko didn’t see anything with these kids.
Good grief, I’ve thought from the very beginning of this show that Kate felt that her having this breed would make her famous, and my oh my, was I right! How sad now that “her Maddie” is the second coming of Kate.
These kids will be forever screwed up…and for nothing more than their over bearing mother’s quest for fame. So sad.
Poor Mady, crying in that picture. Let me guess, Kate was yelling just 15 seconds before someone yelled “Say cheese!”
wow, that’s just sad. you never know who you expose your children to when you invite reality tv and cameras into your home. I couldn’t imagine doing that to my kids. *shakes head* there’s just so much evil in the world.
Those poor kids were filmed showering for god’s sake…who does that? Who says, “Sure, come in the bathroom while my children are in the shower!”
All for the almighty buck. Sick.
I hope and pray that this will be a wake up call to ALL of these so-called reality moms everywhere! Stop filming the children NOW!
Now if only the mommy bloggers who post equally-suggestive photos of their children online would wake up too! I can’t tell you how many naked pictures I’ve seen on some of these blogs. So sickening what some of these parents will do for attention.
“Everybody can tell you how to do it, but they never did it” Jay-Z
Whoa looks like Cara has a lot in common with Shiloh Pitt!
This has nothing to do with potty training, getting ready for bed, changing clothes, etc. This has to do with the FACT that two adults are in no way prepared to care for 8 children. EVER.
@JJ…what blogs are you visiting where ” I can’t tell you how many naked pictures I’ve seen” of children???? What sites are these that you have visited? Should you not report them?
TLC is not the only network that allows cameras to photograph potty training, etc., as viewers of MTV’s Teen Mom can certainly attest to.
I would never allow my child to sit totally or even partially naked on a potty while some camera man or camera woman who I barely know — photographs it. What the HELL is wrong with these money-hungry, poor excuses for parents????
And Jon Gosselin just needs to shut the f*ck up, because he is DEFINITELY one of these famewhoring losers. Jeez!
Somebody, please rescue these poor kids from these idiots who brought them into this world.
Kate is just like Kris Jenner will do anything for money even if it means putting her kids in danger. So sad.
While this man had access to raw footage, he should never have been on the set (at the house). His job was to sit in a little room and edit the footage. Jon probably met him at meeting with the execs. There are crazy, maniacal people everywhere.
WHY am I NOT surprised. Save these children PLEASE. I agree with Lisa G.