Ohio Doctor Sentenced To 21 Years-Plus In Sex Case

HAMILTON, Ohio -- A pediatrician convicted of sex crimes involving former patients, money laundering and drug charges was sentenced Friday to 21 to 27 years in prison and ordered to pay more than $25,000 in fines.

Mark Blankenburg, 54, of Hamilton, showed no visible emotion in court. Prior to being sentenced, he told the judge, "For what I have done wrong I am sorry." He also said he planned to appeal and had no further comment.

Judge Keith Spaeth said in delivering the sentence that Blankenburg appeared to be "fixated on underage post pubescent males" and had acted on that repeatedly. Spaeth also said that Blankenburg "appeared to show absolutely no insight into the wrongfulness of his actions" and no remorse.

A jury found the doctor guilty of charges including gross sexual imposition, corruption of a minor and compelling prostitution. In a related proceeding, Spaeth later convicted Blankenburg of drug trafficking and money laundering charges. The judge said he took the harm done to Blankenburg's victims into account in determining the sentencing. "Their lives are a wreck," the judge said.

Blankenburg's twin brother, Scott, also is a pediatrician and is awaiting his own trial in April on similar allegations. The three victims whose allegations resulted in the charges are now adults. They charged that Mark Blankenburg molested them when they were teenagers and paid for their silence with prescription drugs and money.

Mark Blankenburg's attorneys have maintained that the accusers' sex allegations were false and that the accusers extorted money and drugs from the doctor.

Defense attorney Chris Pagan hopes to win on appeal. He wouldn't comment on the specific issues for appeal but said he believes they are strong ones.

Assistant Butler County Prosecutor Jason Phillabaum praised the victims' cooperation, saying they and police are the reason the doctor will spend most of the rest of his life in prison.

The sentencing followed a hearing in which forensic psychologist Bobbie Hopes, who had four hours of interviews with the doctor, testified on her evaluation of Blankenburg. She said that she believed he was at low to moderate risk of repeating the offenses. Under questioning by the prosecution, however, she also said she noted that the doctor seemed "oblivious" to the seriousness and consequences of his offenses and that he hadn't progressed past adolescence in his emotional and sexual maturity.

Shanks asked to consider Blankenburg's service to the community and charity in determining sentencing, saying that many people had told him that Blankenburg was a good doctor who often provided medical care to those who could not afford it.

Assistant Prosecutor Lance Salyers told the judge that Blankenburg had "fooled" people in the community for decades. He said the doctor used his occupation and hobbies to put him into situations where he would have the opportunity to be in contact with "an ongoing pool of victims."

Mark Blankenburg still faces a trial in May on pornography counts that were severed from the first trial.

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