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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Woman Says Photographer Tied Her Up

EL CAJON, Calif. (CN) - A woman claims a professional photographer sexually assaulted her in his studio, where he "controlled and dominated" her against her will, "through forces and other means of restraint, including tying the plaintiff to furniture and fixtures." She claims Gary Whiteside dba Socal Photography also posted nude photos and video of her on the Internet.

Plaintiff Mandi B. claims that "While at the defendant's studio, the defendant sexually assaulted and battered the plaintiff by engaging in a variety of sexual activities with her against her will."

Whiteside, 66, formerly of Spring Valley, was sentenced in November 2009 to 60 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of lewd acts with a minor and admitting he had multiple victims, according to contemporary press reports. The FBI charged him with federal crimes in 2008, but withdrew the charges so the state could prosecute him, the FBI said in a statement.

In her complaint in San Diego Superior Court, Mandi B. claims Whiteside preyed on her with the help of drugs and alcohol in his studio in El Cajon, east of San Diego.

Mandi B. seeks general and punitive damages for negligence, sexual assault and battery, invasion of privacy and false imprisonment.

She is represented by Gary Sernaker of Escondido.

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