Two-Year Sentence Handed Down in Attempted Kidnapping

A Carlsbad man who was on probation when he tried to kidnap a 14-year-old girl as she walked home from middle school was sentenced to a two-year prison term on Friday. Since he has credit for time in custody that exceeds his sentence, George Edward McKesson will be released from jail directly to parole, court officials said.

McKesson, 54, pleaded guilty in June to false imprisonment and possession of methamphetamine.

The defendant, who has been to prison twice for drug possession, had been sentenced to probation the day before the abduction attempt.

McKesson, a civilian employee at Camp Pendleton, drove up alongside the Lincoln Middle School student as she was walking along Oceanside Boulevard near McDonald Street about 2:30 p.m. on May 19, 2010, and ordered her to get in his car, authorities said.

When the girl began running away, McKesson steered his four-door sedan onto the roadside, blocking her way, said Oceanside police Lt. Leonard Mata.

The girl managed to get around the car and flee to safety, and was able to provide investigators with a partial license plate number. She later identified McKesson from a photo lineup, the lieutenant said.

McKesson was arrested outside his Carlsbad apartment last Aug. 5.

City News Service contributed to this report.