HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Charges have been filed in Reno County against a former employee of USD 309.
On Friday evening, May 30, prosecutors filed five criminal charges against Whitney Shull following alleged incidents that occurred earlier this year.
The charges include:
- Unlawful sexual relations; Teacher with student 16+
- Attempted unl sexual relations; Teacher with student 16+
- Aggravated sexual battery
- And two counts of Unlawful Hosting of Minors Consuming Alcohol, also known as social hosting.
According to court documents, the first four charges stem from events between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. The fifth count is tied to an incident on or about March 15.
All charges were e-filed under case number 2025 CR 386. The most serious offenses are felonies, while others are class A misdemeanors.
Regarding the appointment of Marc Bennett, as Specially Appointed Prosecutor in the Reno County case, when a prosecutor’s office discovers a conflict with a particular case or defendant, the elected prosecutor typically seeks the assistance of the Office of the Kansas Attorney General, a prosecutor from another jurisdiction or a private attorney to prosecute the case in question.
As a professional courtesy, Mr. Bennett agreed to handle the Shull matter at the request of Thomas Stanton, the District Attorney in Reno County. Mr. Bennett will receive no compensation for his role in the Reno County case.
A court date has not yet been announced. The Reno County District Attorney’s Office says a separate news release will be issued once the first appearance is scheduled.