Former Cal Poly administrator sentenced to jail

July 29, 2026

Rick Ellison

By KAREN VELIE

A San Luis Obispo County judge on Tuesday sentenced a former Cal Poly administrator to 364 day in jail and three years probation for molesting his 6-year-old step-granddaughter in a hot tub last year.

After pleading guilty, Richard Ellison asked the court to consider his lack of criminal history and to sentence him to 180 days in jail, according to Ellison’s sentencing statement. Ellison noted he admitted the wrongdoing in an apology letter to the victim’s parents.

District Attorney Dan Dow argued that because of “the seriousness of the underlying offense, the breach of trust involved, or the victim’s vulnerability,” Ellison should receive the maximum sentence of 364 days in jail. SLO County Superior Court Judge Jesse Moreno agreed.

On March 30, 2025, the 6-year-old and her parents 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. The child then informed her parents that Ellison had taken his trunks off and showed the child his penis which she touched.

Because we believe the public needs the facts, the truth, CalCoastNews has not put up a paywall because it limits readership. However, we are seeking qualification as a paper of record, which will allow us to publish public notices, this requires 5,000 paid subscribers.

Your subscription will help us to continue investigating and reporting the news.

Support CalCoastNews, subscribe today, click here.