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Prostitution Sting Nabs Another University of Georgia Professor

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Another University of Georgia academic was arrested this week after authorities used postings on the Backpage.com classifieds website in a prostitution sting, according to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

Bobby J. Stanton, identified as an academic professional in the Department of Chemistry, was charged Thursday with pandering after he allegedly offered a female undercover agent money for sex, the sheriff’s office confirmed Saturday. The arrest was first reported by OnlineAthens.com.

Efforts were being made Saturday to reach Stanton for comment.

Sheriff Scott Berry said Stanton was arrested at the SpringHill Suites off Georgia Highway 316 after responding to an ad on Backpage.com. The sheriff said Stanton offered money to an undercover officer who worked for the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.

Stanton was released on a $1,000 bond.

A UGA spokeswoman told Online Athens that Stanton’s department head was aware of the arrest and the university’s legal affairs office would “proceed as appropriate.”

Academic professionals are teaching, research and departmental assistants who do not have tenure, according to the university.

Stanton was the second UGA academic arrested in June in a prostitution sting by authorities using Backpage.com.

Max Reinhart, a tenured professor of German studies, was arrested June 7 after Gwinnett County authorities say he tried to prostitute himself for $60 after setting up a meeting online with an undercover agent.

Police detectives said they found an advertisement for an individual named “Sasha” in the transexual services section of the website. After meeting with Sasha at the Guest House Inn near Norcross, police found the room had been rented by Reinhart.

An undercover investigator arranged for a half an hour of “services” for $60 and then arrested Reinhart, who was dressed as a woman. He was released later on June 7 after posting a $4,800 bond, according to jail records.

The university agreed not to fire Reinhart, even if he is found guilty, as long has he retires by the end of next year’s spring semester. Reinhart agreed not to sue the university as long as he is not fired from his tenured position.

Source: AJC

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