Ridgely Man Sentenced to 3 Decades in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse | Latest news

RIDGELY, MD – A Caroline County judge sentenced a Ridgely man to the maximum 30 years for sexual abuse of a minor.

According to the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, David Whetstone, of Ridgely, was arrested on several charges in August 2023, including second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor and second-degree assault, following a joint investigation from the Sheriff's Office, Caroline County Sheriff's Office. Department of Human Services, Caroline County Children's Advocacy Center and Caroline County State's Attorney's Office.

In February 2024, Whetstone entered an Alford plea to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor – Continuing Conduct. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, an Alford plea occurs when a defendant pleads guilty to the evidence against him or her, but continues to deny committing the offense.

On Monday, June 10, Caroline County Circuit Court Judge Heather L. Price sentenced Whetstone to the maximum term of 30 years. The Sheriff's Office will also require Whetstone to register as a Level 3 sex offender with lifetime sex offender monitoring, including GPS monitoring, polygraphs and no contact with minors.