A Penn State professor is facing multiple charges after allegedly performing sex acts with his dog while visiting a state forest in April and May.
Themis Matsoukas, 64, was charged on June 12 with misdemeanor counts of open lewdness, indecent exposure and sexual intercourse with an animal, as well as summary counts of cruelty to animals and disorderly conduct. The charges come after state park rangers reportedly captured video of the chemical engineering professor outside of the restrooms in Rothrock State Forest being intimate with his dog and recording himself with an iPad on April 13, WTAJ reported.
The camera was initially set up to identify individuals who were stealing bags of hand sanitizer from the public restrooms, State College.com reported.
A Penn State professor accused of performing lewd acts with a dog in Rothrock State Forest “has been relieved of his responsibilities and is on leave,” according to a university spokesperson. https://t.co/A5HkTPQGtf
— StateCollege.com (@StateCollegecom) June 14, 2023
After witnessing the alleged incident, but unable to identify the perpetrator, state rangers contacted camp owners who had trail cameras in the area that reported images from their trail cameras showing a man naked from the waist down, the outlet stated. Police obtained six photos from the camp owners, the first of which was taken in 2014 and the last two dating from April 2023, according to WTAJ. (RELATED: Four Men Allegedly Gang Rape A Lizard)
Matsoukas appeared on the trail camera again on May 16, with authorities able to identify the professor by the vehicle registration on his green Subaru Outback, noting that his license photo with the DMV matched the photos from the other trail cams, WTAJ reported.
After executing a search warrant at Matsoukas’ home, investigators found an iPad, backpack, ski mask, watch and boots, all of which matched the description of items observed to have been used by the perpetrator in the video footage. A dog, matching the characteristics of the one seen in the videos, was also found at the home, State College.com reported.
When authorities arrived at Matsoukas’ home and found the items, he allegedly admitted to the acts, telling investigators, “You don’t understand, I do it to blow off steam,” according to WTAJ.
Matsoukas is set to appear in court on July 19. A Penn State spokesman revealed Matsoukas “has been relieved of his responsibilities and is on leave” from the university, State College. com reported.