Kendal Blackford, 44, of Naples, was found guilty as charged with two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation on a Child Under 12. He was found guilty following a threeday trial in Collier County. He was remanded into custody pending sentencing which is scheduled for January 17, 2023.
An investigation by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office began in 2020, after it was suspected that the defendant abused a child. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the victim had been abused in the past by the defendant, over a 3 to 4 year period. Blackford was then arrested.
Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Brown and Assistant State Attorney Lawrence Raab prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office