ARLINGTON — Deputies arrested a former Arlington horse ranch owner Wednesday for investigation of sexually abusing three girls over the past decade.
Robert Blessing, 36, was accused of 12 counts of sex crimes, including third-degree rape of a child, third-degree child molestation, sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and communication with a minor for immoral purposes, all felonies.
In October, a girl disclosed to her school counselor that Blessing had been sexually abusing her for several years at the business he owned, RWB Horse Ranch south of Arlington, according to a police report.
In a police interview, the girl reported she boarded and trained her horse at Blessing’s ranch. According to the report, he groomed her from a young age, before raping her while she was a teenager.
Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives obtained evidence of sexually explicit messages and videos exchanged between the two, according to the police report. The girl reported Blessing also had sexual relationships with several other girls while they were underage. Police reportedly found relationships dating to at least 2013.
In November, detectives contacted one of the other girls. She reported she came from a broken home and Blessing had taken her in, allowing her to live at his ranch for several years. During that time, Blessing sexually abused her, police said.
One of the women told police she started going to the ranch when she was 14, trading work at the barn for horse leasing. For three to four years, Blessing started paying the girl an average of $400 to $600 per month in exchange for sexually explicit photographs and videos, police said.
After a two-month investigation, deputies arrested Blessing on Wednesday outside of his Arlington home.
The ranch business was dissolved in July, according to state business records. A person who picked up the business’ phone line Thursday declined to comment on the allegations or whether the ranch was still operating.
Blessing competed in professional rodeos this year, appearing in seven contests throughout Washington.
Friends and family of Blessing filled the room at his first appearance in court Thursday. None spoke at the hearing.
Blessing’s defense attorney argued he should be released because he was not arrested for a violent offense, as defined by state law, and because he had no criminal history.
Deputy prosecutor Martha Saracino said in court that while Blessing doesn’t have a criminal history, he exhibited a “years-long pattern” of sexually exploitative behavior.
“If left unchecked, he will go back into the exact same scenario that he was when he had opportunity and access in his position of trust to all three of these children,” Saracino said.
Everett District Court Judge Tam Bui found probable cause for the 12 counts. She set bail at $150,000.
Herald reporter Maya Tizon contributed to this report.
Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @snocojon.
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