Ex-teacher and pastor headed to prison for forcing Tri-Cities student to strip for photos
A former Chiawana photography teacher and pastor at a Burbank church will serve five years in prison for forcing a 16-year-old student to pose nude for photos.
Jeffrey Whiston, 44, previously pleaded guilty in Benton County Superior Court to sexual exploitation of a minor and possessing photographs of a minor engaged in a sexually explicit conduct.
The teacher and pastor at Trinity Baptist Church was arrested in April after a student told investigators that he lured her to his house in Benton City with the promise of a free photo shoot and then took nude photos of her.
The teen said he was once her favorite teacher, and his actions left her in shock and questioning what she did wrong, according to her statement to Judge Jacqueline Stam.
Whiston didn’t have any previous criminal convictions and faced a minimum of three years and 10 months to about five years in prison under state sentencing guidelines.
Stam ordered Whiston on Sept. 28 to serve the maximum.
It was a sentence that was recommended by prosecutors and the Washington State Department of Corrections.
The father of four will be referred to the sex offender treatment program while he’s in prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender when he’s released and will need to spend three years on probation.
He also was ordered not to have any contact with the student involved.
Photo shoot and arrest
Whiston had a standing offer to shoot senior portraits for any of students. The victim had seen other photos he took of students and agreed to have hers taken, according to the Department of Corrections background report for the court.
He told her to bring several outfits such as dresses and swimsuits. He took her through his house, and introduced her to his wife and a daughter before taking her into a detached shop that he used as a photo studio.
He took photos while standing in front of the doorway to the shop, making the teen feel trapped, according to court documents.
While the photo shoot started off routine, he began directing her to move her clothing in more revealing ways and pose more provocatively, said court documents.
At one point, he said “Now, let’s go nude.” The student felt trapped by the circumstances. She took off her clothes, but tried to cover up.
When he asked to take full nude photos, the teen refused. He then asked if she would do it after she turned 18.
After she got dressed, he told her not to tell anyone.
The teen told police she was shocked about what happened, and ultimately told her friends because she didn’t know what to do.
One of those students told a school district employee, who reported it to other school officials.
The information was then relayed to the Pasco Police Department, who handed the investigation to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office because of where Whiston’s home was.
Whiston was immediately placed on administrative leave, and later fired on July 26.
When police searched his home, they found 100 nude photos of the student. They also found a homemade “posing guide” that featured teens in provocative poses.
This story was originally published October 17, 2022 at 5:30 AM.