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Bike SLO County leader enters plea in child molestation case

May 15, 2026

Richard Edward Ellison

By KAREN VELIE

The former executive director of Bike SLO County pleaded no contest on Thursday to one count for molesting his 6-year-old step-granddaughter in a hot tub last year.

As a result of his plea, Richard Ellison is facing a sentence of up to one year in the San Luis Obispo County Jail and three years probation. His sentencing hearing is on July 28.

During a preliminary hearing on April 2, District Attorney Dan Dow described a letter Ellison sent the victim’s mother apologizing for hurting the child and her family. As a result of the plea, the child will not need to testify.

On March 30, 2025, the 6-year-old and her parents, who were visiting from Colorado, were having dinner at Ellison’s home in Arroyo Grande. Ellison had nodded off at the dining table while drinking wine before the child asked if she could get into the hot tub. Ellison agreed to take her.

Later that evening while the child’s mother was getting her ready for bed, the child said that grandpa said we have a secret, according to witnesses. The child then informed her mother that Ellison had taken his trunks off and showed the child his penis.

In addition to his role at Bike SLO County, before his retirement Ellison was Cal Poly University’s associate vice president for university advancement.

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We need to address and demand accountability from the NGOs and SLO/Silicon Valley Family Offices directly funding this filth locally. Let’s start with Bike SLO. Ask yourself who funds this crap? Start with the board members and their spouses. Pedos shall not be tolerated in our community.


1

I am appalled every week that there are so many pervs amongst us and our children and grandchildren. It seems like we have an arrest or conviction every week. What should a society who values our children do with all these disgusting people. Wish we could just vaporize them so hey no longer exist.


2

Maybe he can bunk with Pedo Gio!


1

Hopefully this courageous girl will help motivate others to come forward, because we all know this isn’t his first, or last, time.


11

Doesn’t even have to go to prison and receive extra attention from general population.


11

Just one year for molesting a child, really, just more of California’s soft on crime I guess. DA Dow should not count this as a win.


58

That’s no shit.


2

It makes me sick! This is why these perves continue to abuse our children. He gets a light sentence and she gets a LIFETIME sentence! Guaranteed she will remember every second of it! This instance will affect her entire life!

ITs a Total disregard for the child. He changed who she is as a person! Just speak to any victim! They remember everything! Then on top of it, they have to nerve to threaten to put a child in court to testify? When are we as a society going to put the protection of our precious children above scumbag child molesters?


59

Have to wonder if his many influential acquaintances swayed the DA, plus no mention if he has to register as a sex offender. Likely after his three years probation he’ll file to have everything go away.


40

And he still gets to collect his fat pension.


17

Dow can bring the charge and demand particular sentencing. He cannot make the decision for the judge or jury.


I guarantee, that Dow would rather this guy stay in jail until he is carried out in a box. But only the courtroom….and perhaps his fellow inmates… has the final say of his future.


11

The article states a “plea agreement” was reached between the DA and the molester.

The judge would then accept the punishment the DA presented as acceptable to them.


4

Cal Poly and a bike nut, need I say more.


22

Epstein, arguably the largest sex trafficker in the USA received one year of house arrest. Maxwell received 20 years. Not one arrest has been made. Of any other person here in the US. While men from around the world who were involved have been arrested. Why?


You all say pervs are bad but you elected one and continue not to hold the people who are complicit responsible.


Supports are just as complicit.


-3