Photographer pleads guilty

PROVO — Wanting to put an end to a "horrible experience," a professional photographer — who was arrested for taking nude pictures of a woman and a teen — pleaded guilty Monday to reduced charges.

Raymond Matthew Stone, 36, pleaded guilty in 4th District Court to two second-degree felonies of child abuse. In exchange for his plea, 22 sexual-related charges will be dropped, including sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted forcible sodomy.

"In order to be done with this horrible experience and to save family and loved ones prolonged heartache, (Stone felt) the best thing to do now was to move on," his attorney, Randy Spencer, said after the hearing.

Stone and his then-girlfriend, Bobette Wimmer, were arrested in October 2006 after the teen reported to police that she went to Stone's Orem studio for some glamour-type shots, but the photo shoot quickly turned sexual as Stone took pictures of her and Wimmer in explicit poses, often unclothed.

Although Stone was scheduled to go to trial Dec. 18, attorneys said they have been discussing this resolution at length.

As part of the plea deal, attorneys and Judge Samuel McVey agreed that if Stone successfully completes probation, the length to be determined later, the charges can be reduced to two class A misdemeanors.

Prosecutor Doug Finch also asked for a psycho/sexual evaluation to be completed along with a pre-sentence review. Stone will be sentenced Jan. 26.

Wimmer previously pleaded guilty to 10 second-degree felony charges of child abuse, and she was sentenced in August to 180 days in jail. After 60 days in jail, McVey allowed her to serve the remaining time on a GPS ankle monitoring device.

"I felt that (Wimmer) was much more responsible, in needing to be there to protect and give good values to the (teen girl)," Finch said. He said because Wimmer was actively participating in the photo shoot, it sent a message to Stone that such behavior was acceptable.

Finch said he believed their sentences would be similar, but should Wimmer slip up probation, there is a greater punishment possible.

The victim, who has since moved out of state, approved the plea deal, Finch said. She is attending counseling and is doing well in school, he said.

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