Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Tampering with Evidence in Joshua Larkin Case

Rodney Allen Blankenship Jr. pleaded guilty to concealing a shotgun linked to the disappearance and presumed killing of Joshua Larkin.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:34pm

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An extreme close-up of a shotgun shell casing, its metallic surface and grooves sharply illuminated by a harsh, direct flash of light against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the critical physical evidence at the center of the Joshua Larkin investigation.The sentencing of a man for tampering with evidence in the Joshua Larkin case underscores the challenges of gathering crucial forensic clues in missing persons investigations.Newton Today

Rodney Allen Blankenship Jr. has been sentenced to eight years in prison for tampering with evidence related to the disappearance and presumed killing of Joshua Larkin. Blankenship pleaded guilty to concealing a shotgun that was allegedly used in the crime. Two other suspects, Justin Taylor James and Johnathan Cody Bierhalter, have been charged with Larkin's murder, while a fourth suspect, James Alex Jones, was charged with tampering with evidence.

Why it matters

The sentencing of Blankenship is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Larkin's disappearance, which has been a high-profile case in the local community. The charges against the four suspects suggest that authorities believe Larkin was the victim of a violent crime, even though his remains have not been recovered.

The details

According to the sheriff, Blankenship pleaded guilty to a single charge of tampering with evidence and was sentenced to eight years in prison. The indictment alleged that Blankenship knowingly concealed a shotgun with the intent to impair its availability as evidence in the murder investigation. Two of the other suspects, James and Bierhalter, have been indicted on murder charges, with the indictments alleging they intentionally or knowingly caused Larkin's death.

  • On November 17, 2022, Joshua Larkin left for a hunting trip at the Exotic Cat Refuge near Kirbyville and has been missing since then.
  • On Thursday, Rodney Allen Blankenship Jr. was sentenced to eight years in prison for tampering with evidence linked to Larkin's disappearance.

The players

Rodney Allen Blankenship Jr.

A man who pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence linked to Joshua Larkin's disappearance and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Colton Havard

The sheriff of Newton County, Texas, who confirmed the details of Blankenship's sentencing and the ongoing investigation into Larkin's disappearance.

Joshua Larkin

A man who has been missing since November 17, 2022, when he left for a hunting trip at the Exotic Cat Refuge near Kirbyville, Texas.

Beverly Larkin

Joshua Larkin's mother, who told 12News that the sentencing of Blankenship was "Good news".

Justin Taylor James

One of the suspects charged with murder in connection to Joshua Larkin's disappearance.

Johnathan Cody Bierhalter

One of the suspects charged with murder in connection to Joshua Larkin's disappearance.

James Alex Jones

A suspect charged with tampering with evidence in connection to Joshua Larkin's disappearance.

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What they’re saying

“Good news”

— Beverly Larkin, Joshua Larkin's mother

What’s next

The judge will decide on Bierhalter's $750,000 bond and Jones' $250,000 bond in the coming weeks. Authorities continue to search for Joshua Larkin's remains, despite the recent developments in the case.

The takeaway

The sentencing of Rodney Allen Blankenship Jr. for tampering with evidence is a significant step in the investigation into Joshua Larkin's disappearance, but the case remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full details of what happened and bring the other suspects to justice.