Tuesday, May 26, 2009

William J. Blanscet - Pastor and Internet Predator


Disturbing allegations leveled against a Salt Lake City Pastor.

According to investigators, 67-year-old William Blanscet used an internet chat room and a web cam for explicit sexual talk, and to expose himself to who he thought was a teenage girl.

Instead, the girl was an undercover officer with Utah's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Investigators say his user name was "happyutahman".

"What's very disturbing, is he's in a leadership position in his religion," said Capt. Rhett McQuiston with the Task Force. "The conversations were very sexually explicit in nature, with the underage child and on at least four different occasions he would use his web came to stream live video shots {of him exposing himself}'

But the most disturbing and shocking thing for investigators is they say Blanscet actually committed one of his crimes inside a hospital, while he was with his wife, who had knee surgery.

"Was streaming his web cam and chatting with this person while his wife was unconcious in the hospital." said McQuiston. "Thats one of the strangest things I've seen in my entire career."

Blanscet is the pastor of Church of God of Prophecy which is at 425 North 700 West in Salt Lake City.

It's unknown just how many people are in his congregation, but people who live next door say the parking lot is packed every Sunday and it appears a lot of people attend the church.

"I can't even believe that'" said Juliana Gutierrez, who lives next to the church. "It's horrible for a pastor to go on the internet seeking children. Its disgusting."

Anthony Robles also lives next to the church, and worries about his own children who often play in the parking lot.

"We don't know what could have happened to any of our kids...that's what they preach don't do that with children then you turn around and that's what they are doing," said Robles.

And that's what worries investigators.

"Whenever a person of trust is involved in these activities, it horrifies me to think what could also be going on. His position of trust, he could be having access to many children. That is our fear there maybe more victims out there," said McQuiston.

According to investigators, Blanscet admitted to the crime when they went to his home to confront him about the charges.

He has not been booked into jail and would not comment when 2news tried to speak to him at his home.

Investigators say he plans to turn himself in next week on four counts of attempting to deal harmful material to a minor.

If found guilty he could spent up to 20 years behind bars. He told 2news he is no longer a pastor of the church.

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