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A former Cal Poly administrator has entered a no-contest plea to a felony charge alleging a lewd act involving his young step-granddaughter, a development that ends the prospect of a jury trial and sets a July sentencing date with lasting legal consequences for the defendant and the community. The case underscores both the criminal penalties available in such prosecutions and the tension between protecting victims and pursuing public accountability.
The defendant, Richard Edward Ellison, who once served as Cal Poly’s Associate Vice President for University Advancement (2014–2015) and led the local nonprofit Bike SLO, was formally charged by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office in late August.
How the case progressed
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Cal Poly ex-administrator risks a 12-month county jail sentence
Ellison initially pleaded not guilty in October after the complaint was filed on Aug. 27. A preliminary hearing in April concluded there was enough evidence to move the matter toward trial.
At a scheduled arraignment, Ellison requested a brief continuance to weigh his options. On the following Thursday, before Judge Rita Federman in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, he shifted his plea from not guilty to a no contest plea to a single count under California Penal Code section 288(a), the statute addressing lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
What the plea does — and does not — mean
A no-contest plea signals that the defendant will not challenge the charge in court but stops short of an express admission of guilt. Under California law, it is treated the same as a guilty plea when the judge imposes sentence.
The prosecution has said that the conduct in this case involved what prosecutors described as grooming behavior: the defendant allegedly directed the child to touch him. Authorities note there is no evidence the defendant physically assaulted the child or harmed anyone else.
Because Ellison entered the plea, the six- to eight-year-old victim (now reported to be 8) will not be required to testify at trial. The family has been assisted by a victim advocate and, according to the district attorney, supports the resolution of the case.
- Potential jail time: Up to one year in San Luis Obispo County Jail for the felony conviction.
- Probation: A mandatory three years of formal felony probation may be imposed.
- Registration: Lifetime inclusion on the sex-offender registry under Megan’s Law.
- Sentencing enhancements: The conviction is categorized as a violent offense under California’s Three Strikes Law, so violating probation could trigger a state prison term of three, six or eight years.
The district attorney handling the case framed the charged behavior as dangerous because it “desensitizes” a child and could pave the way for more serious abuse if left unchecked. Defense counsel for Ellison is attorney Carrie Winters; the prosecution team includes District Attorney Dan Dow and deputy DAs Kristin Barnard and Hunter Starr.
Next steps and local implications
Sentencing is set for July 28 before Judge Jesse Marino, who will decide the exact county-jail term — the court paperwork indicates possible county incarceration periods of six, nine or 12 months may be considered.
Beyond the immediate penalties, the case raises questions about safeguarding in institutions where individuals hold public-facing roles. While the criminal process now moves toward sentencing rather than a public trial, the outcomes — including the required registry listing — will have long-term effects on Ellison’s legal status and on community awareness of child-protection issues.
Officials emphasize that criminal proceedings like this balance victim welfare with due process: the no-contest disposition spares the child from testifying while allowing the court to impose penalties that reflect the seriousness of the charge.
