AITKIN, Minnesota — The trial of an 81-year-old Chaska resident, Guy Willard Blessing, charged with 16 felony counts of possessing pornographic materials involving minors, was delayed before proceedings could begin on Monday, October 7, in Aitkin County. The disruption stemmed from Blessing’s decision to waive his right to a jury trial, opting instead for a bench trial where the evidence is agreed upon by both prosecution and defense, significantly altering the course of the trial.
Blessing was formally accused on November 28, 2022. This type of trial, known as a stipulated facts trial, simplifies the process by having both parties agree on certain facts, which are then assumed as true by the presiding judge. Assistant Aitkin County Attorney Sebastian Mesa announced that the focus would be placed primarily on the first two counts against Blessing.
Mesa highlighted constraints brought about by state legislation that restrict the potential for consecutive sentencing. He explained that the prosecution could not provide requisite evidence to show the disputed materials were downloaded on different dates, though it was evident they involved different minors. This limitation meant that even with a guilty verdict on each count, the outcome, considering Blessing’s prior criminal record, would have possibly resulted in a probationary sentence rather than additional jail time.
The specifics of the trial were submitted in written closing arguments by both the defense and prosecution on October 21, with the court’s decision still pending as of October 28, with no scheduled date for a ruling.
The arrest of Blessing was part of a broader investigation that began on February 23, 2021, when local law enforcement questioned him about allegations of providing alcohol to a minor, which occurred while he was working as a substitute teacher at Aitkin High School. Blessing had formed a relationship with a student, to whom he supplied alcohol on several occasions. Although the charges tied to this incident were eventually dismissed upon meeting conditions, including probation, it was during this initial inquiry that further illicit activities came to light.
While being interviewed by the police, Blessing admitted to possessing an interest in young adult men and confessed to downloading images he believed featured individuals aged between 18 and 24. Despite his assumptions about their age, he acknowledged the difficulty in determining the exact age of the subjects depicted in the online content. Pursuing these admissions, law enforcement extended their search to Blessing’s residence where devices containing the questionable content were seized.
Forensic analysis conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Blessing’s electronic devices revealed a shocking quantity of illegal images. Investigators found thousands of files, including 82 images of apparent child sexual abuse depicting prepubescent males and additional files that were recognized as known child abuse materials based on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s database.
As the community waits for a judicial decision, this case highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities involved in prosecuting digital possession of child pornographic material, balanced against the rights of the accused and statutory limitations.
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