Ridgely man sentenced to 30 years for sexual abuse of a child

RIDGELY — A man from Ridgely was sentenced to a maximum of 30 years this week for sexually abusing a minor for over a year.

According to a press release from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, as well as sentencing Whetstone, Caroline County Circuit Court Judge Heather Price ordered that Whetstone register as a tier 3 sex offender and have lifetime sexual offender supervision, which includes being ordered to have a GPS monitoring, polygraphs and no contact with children.

The case was prosecuted by State’s Attorney Sloane Franklin, who described Whetstone as “a monster, a sexual predator.”

It took over a year for the child to gain the courage and strength to come forward and report Whetstone, according to a press release from the State’s Attorney.

On Aug. 14, 2023, Whetstone was arrested on charges of second degree rape, sexual solicitation of a minor, sex abuse of a minor — continuing course of conduct, sex abuse of a minor — family/household member, sex offense third degree, sex offense fourth degree — sex contact, assault second degree, perverted practice and cause ingest bodily fluid.

In May 2023, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, at the request of the Caroline County’s State’s Attorney’s Office, assumed an investigation regarding Whetstone. A joint investigation was conducted with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, Caroline County Department of Social Services, Caroline County Children’s Advocacy Center and Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough investigation, including a consensual phone call between the survivor and Whetstone where he stated, “... want to know what bothers me about the whole situation, is that you said I raped you. Do you know what rape is? Rape is when you don’t want it, and I forced myself on you…”

The Sheriff’s Office said it was clear from the evidence that the sexual abuse occurred and went on for some time.

“He took her innocence away, that she can never get back,” Franklin said. “Child sex cases are very difficult, and it takes a team to bring justice. Hopefully, the minor child can now start the healing process, knowing Whetstone will be behind bars for a very long time.”