ARLINGTON—Robert Walter Blessing, a 38-year-old Arlington ranch owner, was sentenced to almost 16 years (189 months) in prison on Tuesday, December 2, for sexually exploiting and commercially abusing minors at his RWB Horse Ranch, a once-popular spot for horseback riding lessons and boarding that is now permanently closed. The sentence was handed down by Superior Court Judge Patrick Moriarty.
Blessing pleaded guilty on October 23, 2025, to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor. The 189-month term for the third count runs concurrent with 102-month sentences on the first two, effectively totaling 15.75 years behind bars. Upon release, Blessing faces 36 months of community supervision and must register as a sex offender, complying with all related laws.
Seven other charges, including rape of a child in the third degree and possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Court records obtained by the Lynnwood Times identified a total of six victims. Three—E.J.M. B.C.J., and B.L.H.—had detailed allegations of grooming and sexual abuse which Blessing pleaded guilty. The three additional victims—K.T., T.W., and M.C.—described inappropriate sexual comments and behaviors by Blessing when they were minors, but no charges were filed due to the statute of limitations.
The case exposed a decade-long pattern of grooming and predation targeting vulnerable young girls. It unraveled in late 2023 when one victim, identified in court documents as E.J.M., confided in her school counselor about the abuse, triggering an investigation by the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives uncovered allegations spanning back to 2013, involving multiple girls who boarded horses or took lessons at the ranch in Arlington. Blessing, who lived on the property with his wife and children, allegedly used his position to build trust, offering free lessons, gifts, and a sense of family before escalating to sexual demands, including explicit photos and encounters.
Court records detail how Blessing manipulated victims by exploiting their personal vulnerabilities.
In a victim impact statement, E.J.M., now 19, described how the absence of a father figure in her life made her susceptible to his advances.
“There was no denying I needed a father figure — especially in a world where men were often the ones hauling trailers to races, lifting hay for horses, and ‘making things happen,'” she wrote. “With my father absent from my life, neither my mom nor I realized that Robert could see exactly where I was most vulnerable.”
The trauma, she said, has left indelible scars.
“The long-lasting effects I suffer daily impact my social life, my family life, my psychological state and even my physical health,” E.J.M. stated, adding that she has been diagnosed with complex PTSD. “My therapist would easily say my case is the worst she has encountered.”
She recounted years of mental and sexual abuse starting at age 14, including forced explicit messaging via a hidden app on her phone and encounters in Blessing’s home, all while he portrayed himself as a protector and family man.
Anna Jacobsen, E.J.M.’s mother, echoed the devastation in her own statement, writing Judge Moriarty in a statement the profound change in her daughter.
“I’ve watched her cry in the middle of the night; I’ve watched her shake from nightmares she can’t escape. I’ve watched her flinch when someone tries to hug her,” Jacobsen wrote. “I’ve watched her go from a carefree, happy girl to someone who carries fear in her body like it’s a second skin.”
Jacobsen lamented the stolen “years of laughter, confidence, and trust that she will never get back,” and criticized the plea deal as insufficient, urging Judge Moriarty to consider the lifelong sentence imposed on the victims.
Prosecutors described Blessing as a calculated predator who preyed on girls from broken homes, showering them with attention before demanding compliance.
Affidavits revealed explicit messages extracted from one victim’s phone, including photos and admissions of prior abuses. Additional witnesses reported inappropriate touches and comments, though some claims fell outside the statute of limitations.
Blessing, who has no prior criminal history, expressed remorse through his attorney.
E.J.M., now a college student aspiring to become a therapist, vowed to channel her pain into helping others, turning a personal hell into a path forward.
Author: Mario Lotmore
