BY MIKE NOLTING
A Fairmont State University professor was charged this week with 28 sex crimes, some involving juveniles in Marion County.
Professor John O’Connor was taken into custody Wednesday by state police and charged with 14 counts of sexual abuse by a parent or guardian and 14 counts of first-degree sexual assault.
O’Connor is being held at North Central Regional Jail on a $1 million bond.
The Fairmont State University website lists O’Connor as the chair of the Department of Humanities and a senior level professor of communication arts.
The university released a statement after the arrest.
“Fairmont State University leadership today learned of the arrest of a current faculty member. The alleged offenses are serious, and due to their gravity, it is important for us to learn more about the still-emerging details before commenting further, so that we can appropriately address the situation. We intend to cooperate fully with law enforcement and help them in any way we can.”
