A 69-year-old professor at Florida International University has been arrested at a Fort Lauderdale hotel, according to U.S. Marshals.
The alleged victim in the case is a woman the professor allegedly hired off of Craigslist to clean his home in Fort Meyers. According to investigators with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was given a drink that made her feel disoriented about a half hour later. Detectives said that the man sexually assaulted her, during which she was semi-conscious.
The man and his attorney were spoken with several times while authorities were trying to convince the man to surrender. He refused, and then disappeared.
The man’s house was searched and detectives located a video of the sexual assault that was reportedly taken from his home’s security system.
The man is facing charges that include sexual assault on a helpless victim. He will have an extradition hearing in the coming weeks.
The professor works at the College of Business at FIU, according to a website for the university. He has several degrees, including a PhD in business administration from Florida State University.
When facing sexual assault charges, it can seem as though you have already been found guilty in the court of public opinion; however, it’s important to remember that you are not guilty until — and only if — a judge or jury finds you guilty. An attorney can assist you by looking for errors in the prosecution’s case, including violations of your rights. If there are problems with how evidence was collected or during your arrest, there may be evidence excluded from your case. An attorney can explain your legal options and how to proceed with your case.