Oklahoma theatre professor arrested for sexually abusing students
TW: Details of sexual abuse
A theatre professor at Northern Oklahoma College(NOC) was arrested last week. Anthony Lee Luetkenhaus is facing charges of Violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, Rape, Sexual Battery, Kidnapping, Distribution of Obscene Material, and Committing Acts of Lewdness.
Anthony Luetkenhaus’ mugshot
The details of the allegations against him are disturbing, to say the least. According to two students who first came forward with their claims, Luetkenhaus had created a game in which he sexually assaulted them and instructed them to recruit other students to be assaulted. As a part of the game, Luetkenhaus was the "master" and he was allowed to "take" anyone of his "pets" at any given time. Take was described by one of the students as rape and pets were the students.
One student said that she was told to recruit a 12-year-old girl that was the daughter of one of the staff members at Northern Oklahoma College.
According to reports, approximately 40 current and former students were interviewed by investigators. The allegations date back to 2016. The investigation began after the students brought their claims to college officials.
Luetkenhaus, who was officially fired by NOC this week, and also served as the technical director has worked at four other theatre-related jobs in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Washington.
Officials at NOC released the following statement:
Northern Oklahoma College officials announced today that Mr. Anthony Luetkenhaus is no longer employed at Northern Oklahoma College. After further investigation and proven violations of NOC policies, he was terminated from his employment at NOC on Monday, May 3, within three business days of the onset of this investigation.
Additionally, NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans said that Luetkenhaus is banned from the campus for the protection of the NOC campus community. In a campus announcement sent out earlier today, Dr. Evans provided resources from both NOC and the area communities.
Professional counselors were on campus Monday and the college has arranged for counseling support for any victims traumatized by the situation. Students and employees are encouraged to contact Mr. Jason Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs/Title IX Coordinator for counseling referral information. “Our campus community is heartbroken for the victims in the allegations against Tony Luetkenhaus and are fully cooperating with the Tonkawa Police Department in the investigation. We are doing everything we can so justice is served, and we can begin the healing process,” said President Evans. “We want to thank the courageous people who stepped forward to report their experiences. Our College is a safer place because of your bravery.”
Campus spokesperson Sheri Snyder stated, “There is limited information that can be shared because of the ongoing investigation and employment law. The investigation with Tonkawa Police Department is ongoing and we are being as transparent as possible.”
The police chief said if a victim sees this or if anyone has any information on the case to reach out to their department.
You can call the department 580- 628-2516 or email tonkawapolicedepartment@yahoo.com.