San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office Secures 28-Year Sentence for Former Charter School Employee in Child Sexual Abuse Case

District Attorney Ron Freitas and The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office announced  that Erick Whiteside, a former employee of ABLE Charter School in Stockton, was sentenced to 28 years in state prison following a no-contest plea to multiple charges of child sexual abuse and distribution of obscene material to minors.

 Case Details:

Between April 23, 2023, and June 30, 2023, in San Joaquin County, Erick Whiteside committed an act of sodomy upon a minor, identified as John C. Doe, aged 14–17, and knowingly sent obscene material to the same minor with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desires. Additionally, from September 21, 2006, to December 31, 2010, in San Mateo County, Whiteside engaged in three or more acts of substantial sexual conduct with another minor, identified as Jane K. Doe, who was under 14 years old, over a period of at least three months.

Between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, in San Joaquin County, Whiteside posed as a juvenile female and sent obscene material to seven additional minors. While no physical contact occurred with these additional victims, the People have requested that the court consider these dismissed charges to ensure victims receive financial compensation for their losses and obtain protective orders to prevent further contact.

 Whiteside pleaded no contest to three counts:

1.  Penal Code 288.5(a) – Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 (Jane K. Doe, 2006–2010), with aggravating factors admitted, resulting in a 16-year sentence.

2.  Penal Code 286(c)(2)(c) – Sodomy of a minor (John C. Doe), resulting in an 11-year sentence.

3.  Penal Code 288.2(a)(1) – Distribution of obscene matter to a minor (John C. Doe), resulting in a 1-year sentence.

The total sentence amounts to 28 years in state prison. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Lesley Scharmann, with investigative support from Detectives Chunn and Barsetti of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

 Statement from District Attorney Ron Freitas:

“Protecting our children is a top priority for my office, and this case underscores our commitment to holding predators accountable,” said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas. “The defendant's actions caused immeasurable harm to vulnerable young victims, and this significant prison sentence reflects the severity of his crimes. We commend the bravery of the victims who came forward and the tireless efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners in securing justice.”