RIDGECREST, CA — A 57-year-old Ridgecrest man pleaded no contest Tuesday to multiple child sex crimes, bringing a resolution to a case that was filed more than six years ago.
Erik Wadelin entered the plea in Kern County Superior Court on October 13, 2026, according to court records reported by KGET. He pleaded no contest to two charges related to sex acts with children and one charge of possession of child pornography.
The case dates back to January 29, 2020, when the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force discovered that child pornography had been uploaded to an email account belonging to Wadelin, according to a search warrant return cited in the report.
Wadelin now faces 25 years to life in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender, according to the Kern County District Attorney's Office. The plea includes three strikes on his record under California's Three Strikes law.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 15, 2026.
Source: KGET, reporting by Jason Kotowski, October 14, 2026.
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