Shocking Incident: College Professor Allegedly Exposes Himself to Students at University Activity Center

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas A&M University professor, Russell Taylor Johns, was arrested for allegedly exposing himself at the University of Texas earlier this year. The incident took place on April 29 at the William C. Powers Student Activity Center.

Johns was taken into custody by Texas A&M police following a warrant issued by the University of Texas Police Department. He was later released on a $7,000 bond.

According to court documents, Johns allegedly showed his genitals and engaged in inappropriate behavior while watching students. A staff member reportedly witnessed this and alerted the police. Initially, law enforcement issued Johns a warning but later revisited the situation after a follow-up interview with the victim, who spoke only Spanish.

The University of Texas authorities reported that Johns had been invited to the campus by the Department of Petroleum and Geosciences. This summer, Texas A&M announced his hiring at the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering, promoting his extensive experience and technical knowledge. However, university officials confirmed that he hadn’t started teaching yet.

Johns previously served at Penn State as a Professor Emeritus in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering and taught at the University of Texas from 1995 to 2010. Following his arrest, he must comply with several bond conditions, including avoiding contact with the victims and undergoing random drug testing.

Indecent exposure is classified as a misdemeanor in Texas. It carries a potential penalty of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $2,000.

This situation raises concerns about safety on college campuses and the response of university administrations. A 2021 survey indicated that nearly 30% of college students reported experiencing unwanted sexual advances. Such incidents highlight the need for stronger support systems for victims and preventive measures to create a safer learning environment.

For more information on issues of campus safety, you can check out resources from the U.S. Department of Education.

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