Spring Valley Man Arrested and Charged
with 32 Counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts Involving
Children
Gary Lee Whiteside, age 64, of Spring
Valley, California was arraigned today in State Superior
Court, Department 12, on state charges of violating
California Penal Code 288 (a), which makes it a crime
to commit a lewd and lascivious act upon a child.
Whiteside has been in custody since July 16, 2008,
when he was arrested on federal child pornography charges
brought forward by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,
Southern District of California, San Diego. Whiteside
was arrested by FBI agents and members of the San Diego
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The federal arrest warrant charged Whiteside with violation
of Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2251(a),
sexual exploitation of a child.
On Tuesday, August 5, 2008, the federal charges were
dismissed without prejudice in order to bring forward
the state charges filed by the San Diego County District
Attorney’s Office.
On Wednesday, August 6, 2008, Whiteside was arraigned
on the state charges in Superior Court of California,
County of San Diego, Central Division, Department 12.
Whiteside plead not guilty and bail was set at $5
million dollars.
Investigation into this matter has revealed that Whiteside
operated a business called SoCal Photography, located
at 473 Vernon Way, El Cajon, California. It is alleged
that beginning in January 2003 through July 2008, Whiteside
committed at least 32 acts of lewd and lascivious acts
upon children between the ages of 11 to 15 years old.
On July 16, 2008, FBI agents and investigators from
the San Diego ICAC Task Force served a search warrant
upon Whiteside’s business, SoCal Photography,
located at 473 Vernon Way, El Cajon, California, and
his residence. Whiteside was arrested at his residence
without incident.
To date investigators have identified five victims
and continue their efforts to identify additional victims
in this investigation. Law enforcement is seeking the
public’s assistance to identify other victims
in this investigation.
Gary Lee Whiteside is described as follows:
Name: Gary Lee Whiteside
Age: 64
Residence: Spring Valley, California
Sex: Male
Hair: Gray
Weight: 140 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Anyone with information concerning Whiteside’s
criminal activities to include other potential victims
is asked to call the FBI at (858)
565-1255.
Participating Agencies:
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
U.S. Attorney’s Office
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
El Cajon Police Department
Federal Bureau of Investigation
An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendant
committed the crimes charged.
The defendant is presumed innocent until the Government
meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a
reasonable doubt.
