A man who used Snapchat to find and assault two people on the Blue Ridge Parkway was sentenced Thursday — but only for one of five counts he was originally charged with.

When a woman that Evan William Blankenship met online refused his requests to meet, according to court documents, he used Snapchat’s location information to find her and “scare her” on the parkway’s popular Waterrock Knob Overlook on Sept. 28.

Blankenship, 22, of Whittier, was originally indicted by a grand jury on charges of kidnapping, two counts of assault with intent to commit a felony, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On Thursday, he was convicted in U.S. District Court in North Carolina’s Western District after a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Chief Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced him to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.

According to court records, Blankenship told investigating agents he’d met a woman online and was exchanging nude photos with her. He found the woman in a car at the overlook with another man around 3:15 a.m.

National Park Service officials said Blankenship drove to the overlook, which is less than 10 miles southwest of Maggie Valley, found the couple in a car and pointed a semi-automatic gun at them. At one point, he allegedly shot the gun in the air before pointing it back at them, according to a news release.

Blankenship tried to pull the woman, identified as “L.P.” in the news release, out of the car by her arm and hair before hitting her in the face, causing her temporary hearing loss.

The man in the vehicle, identified as “L.M.,” convinced Blankenship to let the two go after the couple promised not to report it to police.

Blankenship, court records allege, followed the couple down the mountain before driving away. The indictment paperwork says “despite the early morning hour, the pair eventually found law enforcement.”

“L.P.” told authorities she knew Blankenship through Snapchat and believed he used the social media app’s location-sharing feature to find her on the overlook — which is the most-visited spot on the parkway, according to the National Park Service.

Snapchat Location Feature : identification

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Blue Ridge Parkway attack sentencing
2. Snapchat use in criminal case

A North Carolina man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attacking a couple on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Evan William Blankenship used Snapchat to locate and assault two individuals at the Waterrock Knob Overlook. Originally charged with five counts including kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon, Blankenship pleaded guilty to possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Chief Judge Martin Reidinger handed down a 10-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release. Blankenship followed the couple down the mountain after the incident, but they eventually found law enforcement despite his efforts to evade them. Snapchat, an app that enables users to share photos and videos, features a “Snap Map” allowing users to track each other’s locations in real-time. In 2018, Snapchat introduced a feature giving users control over who can view their location. The app advises users to prioritize safety by only sharing their location with known individuals, regularly reviewing privacy settings, and being mindful of what they post on Snap Map. A recent incident involving Snapchat led to the arrest of an individual, highlighting the potential risks associated with sharing location information. Stay informed about similar stories from Charlotte Observer by subscribing to their digital content.

A North Carolina man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attacking a couple on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Evan William Blankenship, 22, of Whittier, used Snapchat to locate and assault two individuals at the parkway’s Waterrock Knob Overlook on September 28. Despite being originally charged with five counts, Blankenship pleaded guilty to possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Blankenship’s actions stemmed from his online interaction with a woman, identified as “L.P.,” whom he had met on the internet. After the woman declined his requests to meet in person, Blankenship used Snapchat’s location feature to track her down at the popular overlook in the early hours of the morning. Armed with a semi-automatic gun, he threatened the couple in the car before physically assaulting the woman and causing her temporary hearing loss.

National Park Service officials reported that Blankenship fired the gun into the air before aiming it at the couple, further escalating the situation. The man in the vehicle, identified as “L.M.,” managed to convince Blankenship to release them after promising not to involve law enforcement. Despite their efforts to keep the incident under wraps, the couple eventually sought help from authorities, leading to Blankenship’s arrest.

The plea deal presented in U.S. District Court in North Carolina’s Western District resulted in Blankenship receiving a 10-year prison sentence and three years of supervised release. Chief Judge Martin Reidinger handed down the sentence after Blankenship admitted to the firearm-related charge, which was the most serious offense among the charges he faced.

Court records indicate that Blankenship’s use of technology to locate his victims highlights the potential dangers associated with social media platforms. The use of location-sharing features can enable individuals to track others without their consent, leading to potentially dangerous situations as seen in this case.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, known for its scenic beauty and popular overlooks, attracts visitors from near and far. The Waterrock Knob Overlook, where the assault took place, is one of the most visited spots along the parkway, according to the National Park Service. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when interacting with strangers online and being mindful of the information shared on social media platforms.

Blankenship’s actions have not only resulted in a significant prison sentence but have also highlighted the need for increased awareness of online safety and the potential risks associated with technology. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential for individuals to prioritize their safety and privacy, especially when engaging with others online. The consequences of online interactions can have real-world implications, as demonstrated by Blankenship’s case on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Snap Map, a feature on the popular social media app Snapchat, has recently come under scrutiny after a disturbing incident took place in the United Kingdom. The Snap Map feature allows users to share their real-time location with friends and followers, but it can also be a privacy concern if not used safely and responsibly.

**Snapchat’s Location Feature**
In 2018, Snapchat introduced a feature that allows users to choose who can see their location on Snap Map. The app advises users to only share their location with people they know and trust, and to regularly check their privacy settings to ensure they are sharing their location as desired. This feature is meant to enhance user safety and privacy while using the app.

**Disturbing Incident in the UK**
In a recent incident in the UK, a man named Blankenship used Snapchat’s Snap Map feature to track down a woman he had interacted with on the app. The woman later reported to authorities that she had only met Blankenship once before and did not know him beyond their Snapchat interactions. This incident highlights the potential dangers of sharing one’s location on social media platforms like Snapchat.

**Arrest and Charges**
Blankenship was arrested by police on October 11th in connection with the incident. He remains in custody and is expected to be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The dropped kidnapping charge could have resulted in a life sentence for Blankenship, while each of the four assault charges carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Additionally, firing a weapon in furtherance of a crime could have added at least 10 years to his sentence, with a maximum sentence of life in prison.

**User Safety on Social Media**
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when sharing personal information, including location, on social media platforms. Users should be mindful of who they are sharing their location with and regularly review their privacy settings to ensure their safety. It is crucial to only share information that one is comfortable with others seeing, as this can help prevent potential risks and dangers associated with online interactions.

**Conclusion**
As technology continues to advance, it is essential for users to prioritize their safety and privacy when using social media platforms like Snapchat. By being mindful of the information shared online and regularly reviewing privacy settings, users can protect themselves from potential risks and dangers. Stay safe and be cautious when using social media features that involve sharing personal information.