Update: Tri-Cities high school teacher accused of shooting nude senior photo session
A Chiawana High School photography teacher is in jail, accused of taking nude photos of a student during her senior-style photo session.
Jeffrey Whiston, 43, of Pasco, was booked into the Benton County jail on Tuesday night on investigation of sexual exploitation of a minor.
He appeared briefly in Benton County District Court on Wednesday, when his bail set at $150,000.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office says Whiston invited a 16-year-old student to his home for a her senior-style picture photo session on April 6.
During the shoot, the teen allegedly was asked to pose in “sexually suggestive and revealing positions,” a news release from the departments reads.
After interviewing the student and Whiston, he was arrested.
Pasco schools Public Affairs Director Anna Tensmeyer confirmed to the Herald that Whiston is a teacher in the district. According to his Facebook page, he is also a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Burbank.
Pasco School District lists Whiston as a commercial photography instructor. He also appears to run a Facebook page that photographs Chiawana athletics events.
Tensmeyer confirmed to the Herald in an e-mail that Whiston is a full-time teacher, and the arrest was related to a tip the district received.
“Pasco School District has learned that district employee Jeffrey Whiston was arrested Tuesday night by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office on charges related to illegal conduct with a minor,” said the email statement.
“The investigation began Tuesday after the district received a report from a concerned parent. Mr. Whiston was placed on administrative leave Tuesday morning in accordance with standard district procedure and the report was made to law enforcement,” said the email.
“If true, these allegations represent a breach of our trust and a disappointing departure from our standards for all district employees. The safety of our students is the highest priority of our school and district staff members.”
Tensmeyer said his Facebook page on Chiawana athletics events is not affiliated with the district.
Nonprofit filings for the church list a Jeff Whiston as a governing officer. No one could be reached at the telephone number listed for the church.
Investigation
Court documents show Benton County detectives were asked Monday to investigate an incident of a Chiawana High School teacher having taken nude photos of his 16-year-old student at his Benton City home.
Investigators said that the victim who had told her friends that she went to do a photoshoot with the teacher and was asked to get undressed, and he took photos of her in provocative positions without her clothes.
The victim’s identity has been withhold because she is a juvenile.
The victim told investigators that two weeks before spring break, teacher Jeffrey Whiston reminded the class of his offer to have a free private “senior style” photoshoot with him at his home. The victim had seen other photos Whiston had taken of students and took him up on the offer.
The victim said Whiston told her to bring several outfits such as dresses and swimsuits.
On April 6, she arrived at Whiston’s home, where he introduced her to his wife and daughter before going inside to get his camera equipment and taking her to an unattached shop building on his property.
During the photoshoot the victim was alone with Whiston. She told investigators it started off routine, but Whiston began gradually making requests for her to pose more provocatively.
While taking swimsuit photos, the victim said Whiston asked her to go fully nude and she felt she had no choice because the door was blocked and she felt trapped. She was able to partially cover herself.
While photographing her more, he asked if she would go “full nude.” The victim said she would not, and said Whiston then asked if she would do a full nude photoshoot when she turned 18. The victim said she would “to oblige him,” said court documents.
That statement led investigators to believe that Whiston knew she was a minor, said the documents.
As she was leaving, the victim said Whiston recommended she come back again in the summer to do more photos.
Investigators questioned Whiston while serving a search warrant at his home, and he reportedly admitted asking to take nude photos of the victim. He then asked if he could speak to a lawyer before continuing.
Investigators agreed and began to stop the interview, but said Whiston continued to talk about the photos not being “fully nude” and was reminded that the interview was being stopped to honor his constitutional rights.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 11:09 AM.
