A 45-year-old Solsberry man was arrested on a warrant April 5 after he allegedly showed a minor a picture of his private area and smacked her bottom.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Kelly Whiting on April 2 on felony charges of sexual battery, battery on a person less than 14 years old, and dissemination of matter harmful to minors. He was arrested by Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Adam Adcock. 

On Feb. 26, Greene County Sheriff’s Department Sgt Shawn Culllison was contacted by Greene County Department of Child Services (DCS) as they had received a report regarding Whiting. According to the report, Whiting showed a photo of his private parts to the victim in May 2023. Around this same time, Whiting allegedly slapped the victim’s buttocks multiple times and placed his hands on the victim’s knee, trying to spread the victim’s legs while asking “do you want this”. The victim alleged she kicked Whiting. During this time, Whiting lived at the victim’s residence.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Cullison interviewed Whiting at the Sheriff’s Department on Feb. 26. When bringing up the allegations of Whiting trying to spread the victim’s knees, he denied it ever happening. When Cullison told Whiting the victim said he may have been intoxicated when it occurred, Whiting admitted he was drinking heavily at that time and had been going through several black out spells due to an injury. According to the probable cause affidavit, Cullison told Whiting it sounded like he did some things the victim found offensive while he was intoxicated. Whiting responded with, “am I going to sit here and tell you that it’s possible, who knows. Do I remember it? Absolutely not.”

Whiting told Cullison he had spoken to the victim’s parents several times about her running around “skimpy” referring to her clothing–including short shorts and shirts without bras. He referred to her as having the body of a much older woman. 

When Cullison explained to Whiting the allegation of him showing a picture of his private area to the victim, he shook his head no, stating he had never volunteered his phone to her. He alleged he told the victim multiple times not to look at photos on his phone. 

On March 1, the victim was interviewed at Susie’s Place in Bloomington. During this interview, she shared more details of what happened. According to the probable cause affidavit, she claimed in March 2023, he was “really weird and flirty” toward her. She also alleged he tried to make her touch herself in inappropriate ways. She told interviewers he would smack her butt, which made her uncomfortable, so she would distance herself from him.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a few weeks after he started smacking her butt, he tried opening her legs, but she kicked and smacked him. She alleged his head went down toward her private area, so she kicked it.  She explained that she was scared and after Whiting left her room, she made a plan to escape if he tried to do anything again. She said she added 911 to the speed dial. The victim alleged he was in his “drunk stage” at this time. 

A few days before the previous incident, the victim alleged Whiting was sitting on the couch and asked her if something was attractive. Then, according to the probable cause affidavit, he showed her a picture of his erect private parts. She said she told him it was disgusting and went to her room. She told interviewers she knew the photo was taken from Whiting’s bedroom based on the color of the walls and other identifying items in the picture.

Whiting was arrested April 5 by Deputy Adcock. His bond was set at $12,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He was released the following day after posting $1,200.