University educator under allegation for displaying obscenity to students at the academic institution's recreational facility
In a shocking turn of events, Russell Taylor Johns, a newly hired professor at Texas A&M University's Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering, was arrested on charges of indecent exposure. The incident, which took place at the University of Texas at Austin's William C. Powers Student Activity Center on April 29, 2023, was reported to the UT Police Department.
According to court documents and an affidavit, Johns exposed his genitals and masturbated while staring at two female students in the Student Activity Center. The incident was witnessed by a staff member who reported it to the police. A follow-up interview with the alleged victim, conducted by officers fluent in Spanish, clarified the details of the incident [1][2][3].
Despite the incident, Johns was hired by Texas A&M after the occurrence but before the arrest. Texas A&M University stated they were unaware of the allegation at the time of hiring. Johns had not yet begun teaching at Texas A&M, and the university has placed him on suspension following the arrest [1][3].
Johns was taken into custody on a warrant issued by the UT Police Department, booked into Brazos County Detention Center, and later released on a $7,000 bond. His bond conditions include no contact with the alleged victims or their families, refraining from further offenses, and submitting to random drug testing. In Texas, indecent exposure is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine [2][3].
Prior to this, Johns had a distinguished career. He served as a department chair at Pennsylvania State University and worked at UT Austin from 1995 to 2010. His visit to UT Austin in April 2023 was at the invitation of the UT Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering [1][3].
The University of Texas at Austin's social media post stated that Johns' technical knowledge and experience would be a tremendous asset to the department's teaching and research mission. However, these allegations have tarnished his reputation and raised questions about the hiring process [1].
This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
- UT Austin Police Department Affidavit
- Texas A&M University Statement
- News Article on Arrest
In the realm of general-news, this incident involving the arrest of former UT Austin professor Russell Taylor Johns, now a suspended faculty member at Texas A&M University, is a sordid mix of crime-and-justice and politics, as the university faces scrutiny over hiring practices. The details of the indecent exposure incident are outlined in a UT Austin Police Department affidavit, a news article on his arrest, and a statement from Texas A&M University.
