Clarkston, Washington After an investigation into alleged inappropriate internet conversations with a 14-year-old girl, a guy from Clarkston was taken into custody.
A probable cause document filed in Asotin County Superior Court states that Jeff Tumelson, 67, of Clarkston, was arrested following an investigation by Clarkston Police Department investigators on August 15. After the girl’s family reported suspicious Facebook messages—which they characterized as extremely sexual and predatory—and gave law enforcement images, the inquiry was launched.
According to investigators, Tumelson, who the girl and her family knew, brought the teen shopping earlier in the week and then messaged her privately. The authorities claimed that in those chats, he urged the girl to remove the conversation so they wouldn’t get in trouble, begged her to submit pictures, and praised her attractiveness. According to reports, he also advised her to protect her phone and offered that she confide in him.
According to the affidavit, Tumelson stressed confidentiality again and over again. At one point, he told the teenager, “I can keep a secret if you ever want to talk,” and that they could maintain in touch as long as we were cautious.
Tumelson allegedly admitted sending the messages during an officer interrogation, but he said his remarks were being misunderstood. He informed investigators that a reference to the girl’s body was a spell-check gaffe. After putting this argument to the test, officers came to the conclusion that his claims lacked credibility.
In the records, investigators also reported that Tumelson seemed uneasy during interrogation, exhibiting a broken voice and increased breathing when the communications were presented to him.
The child admitted to officers that it wasn’t until the remarks became more direct that she realized they were improper. She said she was embarrassed when Tumelson looked at her chest over lunch. She went on to say that she was nervous and had lost faith in Tumelson.
Tumelson was taken into custody and lodged into the Asotin County Jail on Sunday. He is charged with a class C felony in the state of Washington, which is communication with a minor for immoral intentions.
On Monday, Tumelson showed up for court. The bond amount was $20,000. September 8 has been set aside for his initial arraignment.
