Man allegedly tried to kill school board member accused of rape, child sex abuse

GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - Authorities say a Tennessee man is facing several charges after he allegedly tried to kill a school board member accused of rape and child sex abuse.

Grainger County Sheriff James Harville said 46-year-old Benjamin Mills allegedly tried to kill Steve Blanken, a Grainger County school board member accused of rape and child sex abuse, at his home.

Mills was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, theft and kidnapping. He is being held at Grainger County Jail.

Blanken was arrested earlier this year after a parent came forward about an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old victim between December 2025 and February 2026.

Once those charges came to light, school leaders banned Blanken, who was also serving as a substitute teacher, from school property and met with an attorney to discuss next steps.

Blanken has since been indicted on three counts of statutory rape, one count of engaging a minor in sexual activity and two counts of possessing child sexual abuse material.

Grainger County Director of Schools Mark Briscoe requested in a letter to the district attorney that if Blanken pleads guilty or is convicted, he be ousted from his position on the school board. School leaders cannot remove him from the seat themselves because he is an elected official.