HERNANDO (MS)
ABC 24 [Memphis, TN]
October 23, 2025
By Ezekiel Telemaco
Lindsey Whiteside, who was previously sentenced to house arrest for sexual battery of a child, now faces federal charges for transporting a minor across state lines.
A DeSoto County woman who avoided jail time after pleading guilty to sexual battery of a minor is now in federal custody.
DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle confirmed Thursday, Oct. 23, that Lindsey Whiteside, a former youth pastor at Getwell Church in Hernando, was arrested and charged with transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity, a federal crime.
“I want to emphasize that crimes against children will not be tolerated in DeSoto County,” Tuggle said. “We are committed to pursuing justice and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children.”
On Oct. 13, Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth sentenced Whiteside to three years of house arrest and seven years of probation after she pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a child. Whiteside’s sentence, which was markedly more lenient than the possible 30-year maximum, caused outrage across DeSoto County.
Investigators said Whiteside engaged in sexual acts with a minor between May and November of 2024.
Tuggle explained that his office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office reviewed the case again after the original sentencing, which led to a federal indictment and her arrest.
“This arrest is the result of a joint investigation between our office and the United States Attorney,” Tuggle said. “Together, we built a strong and detailed case that was presented to a federal grand jury, and they returned an indictment against Miss Whiteside.”
A federal judge will now determine whether Whiteside must stay in custody until her trial.