Camden-Wyoming – Delaware State Police detectives have arrested a an employee of a pony ride company after he allegedly touched a juvenile customer inappropriately at an area orchard late last month.
Police said the investigation began on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, after a representative of the Fifer Orchards contacted troopers to report that on Saturday, October 29, 2016, a nine-year old female had been with her mother at the orchards located at 1919 Allabands Mill Road, Camden-Wyoming.
While there the nine year old took part in the pony rides which were being offered by Angels Gather Here Pony Rides on the orchard grounds. At the conclusion of the ride, the female advised her mother that the male subject who had assisted her in mounting and dismounting the pony, later identified as John R. Blackburn, 33, of Houston, had inappropriately touched her, according to police. The mother of the victim then contacted the owner of the pony ride company and a representative of Fifer Orchards and reported the incident.
On Friday, November 4, 2016, John Blackburn, who is a registered Tier 3 sex offender, was taken into custody without incident and transported to Troop 3. He was then charged by detectives with Unlawful Sexual Contact of a Child by a Registered Sex Offender and Failure to Re-Register as a Sex Offender Within Three Days after a Change in Employment. He was arraigned at JP Court 2 and committed to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Institution in default of $106,000.00 cash bond.
The Delaware State Police are continuing their investigation into this incident and more charges are expected.
Image Credits: Delaware State Police
