BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Former Brunswick County Sheriff’s Deputy John Christian Blasingame pled guilty last month to numerous charges, including possession and distribution of drugs, as well as the theft of a badge and identification card from the Sheriff’s Office.
Leland resident Blasingame, 42, served as a Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BSCO) deputy for less than a year in 2016 and was dismissed by Sheriff John Ingram for unspecified reasons. In May of 2018, Blasingame was arrested during a traffic stop after he illegally made a delivery of prescription amphetamines. Authorities later located cocaine, testosterone, and marijuana – along with paraphernalia intended for retail use.
BCSO deputies with the Vice and Narcotics later located an ID card, badge, tie, and lapel pins Blasingame had stolen from his former employer. A BSCO spokesperson said that while Blasingame had stolen parts of a uniform, he had not impersonated an officer in the course of his crimes. Blasingame was initially held on a $1.5 million bond.
According to Brunswick County Assistant District Attorney Glenn E. Emery, Blasingame appeared in court on February 26 and pleaded guilty on all charges. He entered a “conditional discharge agreement,” which under state statute allows the courts to mitigate sentencing if the convicted person fulfills certain obligations, often involving drug treatment, behavioral counseling, or other remedial programs.
If these conditions are violated during the term of the agreement, the court can proceed to active sentencing, including fines or prison time. If the conditions are met, at the end of the agreement the charges are retroactively dismissed.
The details of Blasingame’s agreement were not made public, however, Emery noted he was placed on supervised probation.
