Disturbing Allegations: College Professor Accused of Inappropriate Behavior at University Activity Center

AUSTIN, Texas – A professor from Texas A&M University, Russell Taylor Johns, has been arrested for indecent exposure. This charge comes from an incident that reportedly took place at the University of Texas earlier this year.

Johns, who was set to start teaching this fall, was taken into custody by the Texas A&M University Police Department. The warrant for his arrest was issued by the University of Texas Police Department.

He was booked into the Brazos County Detention Center and released later on a $7,000 bond.

Court documents reveal that Johns allegedly exposed himself and touched himself inappropriately at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center on April 29. A staff member witnessed the act while he was looking at students.

Initially, university police issued a criminal trespass warning to Johns based on statements from a female student who spoke only Spanish. Following that, officers who spoke Spanish interviewed her again, and she clarified that Johns was staring at two female students while exposing himself.

Johns had been invited to the University of Texas campus through the Department of Petroleum and Geosciences. In July, Texas A&M announced his hiring at the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering. Their social media post highlighted his extensive technical knowledge as a valuable asset.

As of Thursday, Texas A&M confirmed Johns’ hiring but did not provide details about his current employment status. University officials noted that he had not begun teaching yet. Johns has previously held positions at Penn State and served on the faculty at the University of Texas from 1995 to 2010.

Under his bond conditions, Johns must avoid contact with the alleged victims and their families, abstain from any further offenses, and submit to random drug tests. In Texas, indecent exposure is a misdemeanor, which could lead to up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.

This incident has sparked conversations about safety on college campuses. According to a recent survey by the Association of American Universities, nearly 25% of college students reported experiencing sexual misconduct. Such statistics raise urgent questions about how institutions can better protect students and foster secure learning environments.

Experts emphasize the need for universities to have clear policies in place and proper training for staff and law enforcement to handle these sensitive situations effectively. It’s essential to ensure that all students feel safe and supported on campus.



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