The long-running criminal case against Mercedes Carrera, a former adult film actress, and her husband Daemon Cris (Jason Whitney) has been delayed once again. The couple, who were arrested in February 2019, face multiple felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of Carrera’s minor daughter.

After nearly six years of pre-trial proceedings, a new judge has now been assigned to oversee the case. Judge Shannon Faherty replaces Judge Katrina West, who had been presiding over the matter since its inception. The reason for the judicial reassignment has not been disclosed. A new hearing has been scheduled for November 21, 2025, to discuss the next steps, but due to the approaching holiday season, legal analysts say a jury trial is unlikely to begin before 2026.

Carrera and Cris have remained in pre-trial detention since their arrest. Both were charged with one count under California Penal Code 288.7(a) — alleging sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child aged 10 or younger — and ten counts under PC 288.7(b) — for oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child aged 10 or younger.

The primary evidence at the heart of the charges is a 75-minute audio recording of a 2019 interview conducted by a San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputy with Carrera’s daughter. In the recording, the child describes repeated abuse, which she referred to as “cuddle sessions.” A search of the couple’s apartment followed shortly after. The location, also used as a filming set for adult content, yielded firearms and narcotics, though drug and weapons charges were later dropped.

Cris, however, faces an additional felony charge stemming from an incident inside the detention facility. He was charged on February 3, 2022, with possession of a weapon while in custody. The nature of the alleged weapon has not been disclosed in court records.

Mercedes Carrera has denied all accusations, maintaining that the case is the result of a bitter custody dispute with her ex-husband, whom she described as a “fundamentalist Christian.” Her legal team argues the allegations were fabricated to tarnish her character and gain an advantage in family court.

The allegations stem from a 75-minute audio recording of an interview conducted with the minor by a San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputy in January 2019. In the recording, the child detailed alleged instances of sexual abuse, referring to them as “cuddle sessions.” The couple’s apartment, also used for adult film production, became a focus of the investigation. The presence of the child in the apartment during filming, though reportedly in a separate room, along with the discovery of drugs and firearms during a search warrant execution, contributed to the disturbing backdrop of the allegations.

The defense has filed numerous motions in an effort to dismiss or suppress evidence, two of which were denied in 2024. A previously scheduled jury trial set for October 7, 2024, was canceled and replaced with a pre-trial readiness hearing now scheduled for February 4, 2025. This hearing is expected to set the stage for a new trial date later that year.

So far, the court has conducted sixteen hearings in 2024 alone, and the proceedings have stretched over multiple years due to procedural motions and evidence challenges.

The couple faces some of the most serious charges outlined in the California Penal Code. If convicted under PC 288.7(a), they each face a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life, while each count under PC 288.7(b) carries a sentence of 15 years to life. These offenses are considered “super strikes” under California law, rendering the accused ineligible for probation, split sentencing, or early release under Proposition 57. Any time served in prison would be subject to minimal sentence credits, with a cap of 15%.

The newly assigned judge is expected to determine whether the case is trial-ready or if further delays are likely. With the holidays approaching, observers suggest that the earliest possible trial start date may be in mid-2026, barring any additional complications.

Carrera and Cris remain in custody at San Bernardino County’s West Valley Detention Center as they await trial. The case continues to draw national interest, not only due to Carrera’s past career in adult entertainment, but also because of its broader implications in discussions around child protection, custody disputes, and the criminal justice system’s handling of pre-trial detention and due process.