Identical Twin Pediatricians Both Charged With Pedophilia

Oct. 9, 2009 — -- Mark and Scott Blankenburg of Hamilton, Ohio, are identical twins. But the 53-year-old siblings share many traits beyond their identical facial features.

They're both pediatricians, and for years, the two men were well regarded professionals with successful practices. The brothers also lived together and neither one was married. They were both budding amateur photographers -- taking hundreds of pictures at Hamilton High School sporting events. Now the siblings share something else as well -- they're both facing multiple sex charges involving young boys.

"This is a very bizarre case ... I have been doing this for 25 years, and every time I think I have seen the most bizarre, weird case, another one comes along and this one is it," said Robin Piper, the prosecuting attorney for Butler County.

The case against the twins is basically this: Prosecutors allege that, for years, both men had sex with underage males -- including some patients.

In some cases, prosecutors allege, the doctors paid for that underage sex, other times they bribed the teens to keep quiet. In addition, Mark Blankenburg is charged with providing prescription drugs to minors.

Piper said that a search of the men's home and office revealed thousands of photos of teen boys, including "316 photographs of one kid basically bending over." Prosecutors charge that the photos and the graphic sexual fantasies demonstrate an unhealthy obsession with young boys -- one that spilled over into criminal behavior.

The men will be tried separately because the judge ruled that their identical appearances might confuse the jury. Mark Blankenburg is facing 41 charges. Scott Blankenburg is charged with 22 counts.

The Blankenburg trials have sparked a lot of interest in the criminal justice community. "It's very rare. I know of no other case where ... not just identical twins, but brothers, professionals have been charged with crimes of this nature," said Stephen Holmes, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Southern Florida.