Teacher Wanted for Child Sex Crimes in West Virginia Arrested While Working at Missouri Technical School
BUFFALO, MISSOURI — A Missouri technical instructor was taken into custody this week after authorities discovered he was wanted in West Virginia on charges involving child sex crimes.
Jonathan Whatley, who was employed at the Dallas County R-1 School District’s technical center, was arrested Wednesday after a school resource officer received a tip about a warrant for his arrest.
Officials said Whatley is facing one count of distribution or possession of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, a serious felony charge that originated from McDowell County, West Virginia.
Arrest Made at Missouri School
According to a statement from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the warrant stemmed from an incident in July 2025. The school’s resource officer verified the active warrant and immediately coordinated with local deputies to arrest Whatley at the school without incident.
Authorities confirmed that Whatley is currently being held in Missouri as he awaits extradition back to West Virginia, where he will face formal prosecution.
District: ‘No Students Were Involved’
Following the arrest, Dallas County R-1 School District officials released a statement emphasizing that no district students were involved in the alleged offenses and that the school is fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“Absolutely no district students were involved, but please know we take this matter seriously, and the safety and well-being of our students will always remain our highest priority,” the district said.
District leaders added that staff were informed of the arrest and that appropriate steps have been taken to ensure classroom coverage and continued student safety.
West Virginia Investigation Underway
Investigators in McDowell County, West Virginia, have not yet released additional details regarding the alleged crimes, but confirmed that the charges involve sexually explicit conduct with minors.
The Dallas County R-1 School District said Whatley passed standard background checks prior to his employment, and authorities are now reviewing whether any out-of-state alerts or pending warrants could have been missed during the hiring process.
What’s Next:
Whatley remains in custody while extradition proceedings move forward. Once returned to West Virginia, he is expected to appear before a circuit judge to face the felony charge.
The investigation remains ongoing, and more details are expected as court documents become public.
How to Help:
Authorities encourage anyone with relevant information about Whatley’s activities in either Missouri or West Virginia to contact local law enforcement or the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.
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