Editor's Note:
This post has mentions of sexual harassment. Reader discretion is advised.
A former Cal Poly administrator pleaded no contest to a felony charge of committing a lewd act on his 7-year-old step-granddaughter.
Richard Edward Ellison, previously Associate Vice President for University Advancement at Cal Poly from 2014-2015 and former executive director of Bike SLO, was charged by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office on Aug. 27. He pleaded not guilty on Oct. 27, according to San Luis Obispo court records.
After a preliminary hearing on April 2 found sufficient evidence to proceed, the case moved toward trial.
READ MORE: Former Cal Poly administrator to face trial for alleged lewd act on child
Ellison’s Superior Court arraignment — the formal proceeding at which a defendant is officially notified of charges and enters a plea — was scheduled for Tuesday. He asked for a short continuance until Thursday morning, as he was still considering whether to plead to the charges or demand a jury trial.
On Thursday, Ellison ultimately chose to change his plea from not guilty to no contest before Judge Rita Federman in San Luis Obispo Superior Court. The charge, penal code section 288(a), is commonly referred to as lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14.
A no contest plea is when the defendant does not dispute the charges but also does not formally admit guilt. Under California law, it carries the same weight as a guilty plea for sentencing purposes.
The plea means the victim, now 8 years old, will not have to testify at trial. The victim’s family has been supported by a victim advocate throughout the case and supports the disposition, according to District Attorney Dan Dow.
As a result of the plea, Ellison faces up to one year in San Luis Obispo County Jail as well as three years of formal felony supervised probation and lifetime sex offender registration under California’s Megan’s Law.
The plea is considered a violent offense under California’s Three Strikes Law. A violation of probation during the three-year period could result in a sentence of three, six or eight years in state prison.
Dow described the conduct underlying the charge as grooming behavior. In this case, there is no evidence Ellison touched the victim or harmed others. Rather, he directed her to touch him.
“We don’t know if it would have gone further,” Dow said. “But this behavior inoculates and desensitizes a child. If he had gotten away with it, there could have been a next encounter that led to more serious harm.”
Ellison is represented by defense attorney Carrie Winters. The prosecution is being handled by Dow, along with deputy DAs Kristin Barnard and Hunter Starr.
His sentencing is July 28. Judge Jesse Marino will determine whether he serves six, nine or 12 months in San Luis Obispo County Jail.