MEMPHIS (TN)
Local Memphis [Memphis, TN]
October 14, 2025
By Gabriel Huff
DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton described the punishment as too lax and said his office will work to challenge the decision.
A former DeSoto Central High School assistant basketball coach and youth pastor has been sentenced to three years of house arrest for sexual battery of a child by a person of trust or authority.
Lindsey Whiteside was arrested Nov. 21, 2024, for the charge, according to DeSoto County officials. She was indicted on the charge by a DeSoto County grand jury on Dec. 13, 2024.
A copy of the indictment alleged that Whiteside had sex with an underage female between May 14, 2024 and Nov. 6, 2024.
“Prior to this indictment, Lindsey Whiteside served as a youth ministry leader and basketball coach—positions that carry a profound responsibility to protect and guide others. Sexual abuse and exploitation inflict lasting harm on victims, that often last for a lifetime,” a statement from the DeSoto County District Attorney’s office read. “We understand that coming forward as a victim can be incredibly difficult, especially in cases involving trusted figures.”
Whiteside left DeSoto Central High School and then worked as a youth pastor at Getwell Church Hernando, where the victim was a member.
She accepted a plea deal during a court hearing on Monday, Oct. 13, and will now have to register as a sex offender.
A judge sentenced her to three years of house arrest, followed by seven years of post-release supervision, much to the dismay of DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton, who requested the maximum sentence of 30 years.
“This sentence is an absolute abomination of justice,” Barton said. “It is not right… This is the reason why people question whether our institution actually serve victims.”
Evidence against Whiteside included 64,000 pages of printed text messages and hand-written notes, according to the district attorney, who added that abuse occurred during church trips.
A family member of the victim, now 18, said the girl was manipulated and betrayed.
“How can anyone do things like she did to a young girl and then show up, sometimes to preach, at church on Sunday morning,” said the family member, who expressed that justice had not been served with the sentencing decision.
The district attorney said the judge was appointed to the case after two other judges recused themselves due to having a connection with the people involved and the church.
In a statement sent on Oct. 14, Barton said his office will file motions to void the “illegal” sentencing and unseal all records “because the public has a right to know what transpires when a gross miscarriage of justice occurs.” He did not explain why nor cited a specific statute that made the sentencing “illegal.”
During the press conference, the district attorney also mentioned plans of possibly requesting other jurisdictions to prosecute the case since the abuse crossed state lines.