Howorth | Lindsey

: In October 2025, retired Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth sentenced Lindsey Whiteside—a former youth pastor and basketball coach—to three years of house arrest and seven years of probation after she pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a child.

: The sentence sparked widespread community backlash in DeSoto County, Mississippi, with many critics, including District Attorney Matthew Barton, calling the punishment "illegal" and overly lenient for a violent sex crime. lindsey howorth

Below are the details regarding the primary news event linking these two names: : In October 2025, retired Circuit Court Judge

: Shortly after the state sentencing, Whiteside was arrested on federal charges of transporting a minor across state lines for sexual activity. She pleaded not guilty to these charges in late October 2025. Other Mentions She pleaded not guilty to these charges in late October 2025

: Following the backlash and public criticism from the DA, Judge Howorth recused himself from the case. In a three-page filing, he criticized the DA's "unnuanced" portrayal of the case and compared the public pressure on the court to tactics used in authoritarian regimes.

Judge in Lindsey Whiteside case recuses himself - localmemphis.com