Kidnapping trial is Feb. 22




Kidnapping trial is Feb. 22


Thousand Oaks resident Paul Whitehead, 24, will go to court Feb. 22 on kidnapping and child molestation charges.


In November 2003, Whitehead was driving along Erbes Road in T.O. when he allegedly lured a 13-year-old girl into his pick-up truck after saying someone was following her and that she might be in danger.


Whitehead reportedly placed his hand on the young girl’s leg while the two were driving. After riding approximately two blocks, the girl jumped out of the truck and ran to a nearby home for safety, police said.


According to reports, no rape occurred and no marks were left on the girl’s body. Whitehead, son of Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education President Gordon Whitehead, faces 25 years to life in prison and remains in a Ventura County jail on $500,000 bail. Plea bargaining talks failed to reach a settlement. The victim’s father, who wished to remain anonymous, said he doesn’t want his daughter to have to testify at the trial. The father said his young daughter might have a difficult time coping during the testimony.


The victim’s legal advocate declined to comment on the matter.


Whitehead’s lawyer, Harold Greenberg of Los Angeles, also declined comment.


Police reportedly questioned Whitehead about a previous encounter with a girl during his employment at the Thousand Oaks Do-It Center.


—Michael Picarella



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