Former University Professor Indicted on Multiple Sexual Offence Charges
A former Midwest university professor who authored works on Christian sexual ethics and fathered at least ten children has been formally charged with rape and sexual battery involving one or more minors. John Kent Tarwater, aged 55, was indicted last Friday in Greene County, Ohio, approximately one hour west of Columbus, facing two counts of rape, three counts of sexual battery, and three counts of gross sexual imposition.
Tarwater was booked into the Greene County Jail, where he remained in custody as of Friday evening. According to the indictment reviewed by the Daily Mail, one victim was known to Tarwater and was as young as ten years old when the alleged abuse began, with the misconduct reportedly spanning several years.
Academic Background and Controversial Writings
Tarwater had been employed at Cedarville University, a Baptist institution with approximately 6,400 students, since 2017. He served as a business administration faculty member and associate finance professor during his tenure. In December 2022, he wrote an article titled 'Does Sexual Self–Gratification Glorify God?' which has since been deleted but remains accessible through online archives.
'Perhaps the issue that causes the greatest confusion for both single and married people centers on the permissibility or impermissibility of masturbation,' Tarwater's article stated. The previous year, he co-authored a piece called 'Business Ethics in the Marketplace: Exploring Transgenderism.'
Additionally, Tarwater authored the 2005 novel 'Marriage as Covenant: Considering God's Design at Creation and the Contemporary Moral Consequences.' The book's back cover describes it as analyzing 'the covenant understanding of marriage in relation to feminist and homosexual attacks on the standards of sexual moral behavior taught in the church and reflected in the culture.'
Details of the Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors allege that Tarwater engaged in sexual conduct and sexual contact with a victim under thirteen during part of the alleged period and under eighteen at later times. The abuse is said to have occurred between August 2019 and July of last year.
Some of the alleged incidents took place at a Cedarville address listed in the 3300 block of US Route 42 East. According to the legal filing, Tarwater compelled the victim by 'force or threat of force.'
Tarwater was arraigned on Thursday morning at the Greene County Courthouse, participating via video call from jail. His attorney, Jay A. Adams, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. 'This is a man who is, of course, presumed innocent,' Adams stated. 'This is a man who has no criminal history.'
Adams argued that Tarwater was facing 'delayed allegations' and contended that the $1 million bond set was more typical for homicide cases. 'There is no dead body in this case,' he told the court.
University Response and Community Notification
Cedarville University previously highlighted Tarwater in a press release celebrating the Washington Post's ranking of Cedarville as Ohio's 'Most Collegiest College Town.' The release noted that the city achieved this by 'melding town culture with university culture,' citing Tarwater as an example: 'It's also professors like Dr. John Tarwater, associate professor of finance, watching one of his 11 children on the court.'
Mark D. Weinstein, who leads the university's public relations department, later clarified to The Roys Report, 'I am aware of John Tarwater having 10 children, not 11.'
The university informed the campus community of Tarwater's indictment and arrest on Tuesday through an email from John W. Davis, the school's associate vice president for human resources. 'Today we were informed that Dr. Tarwater was indicted by a Greene County Grand Jury and arrested on eight felony counts, including rape, gross sexual imposition, and sexual battery,' Davis wrote.
The email provided further details on when the school learned about the allegations. 'We were informed in July 2025 that Dr. Tarwater was under investigation for concerning allegations,' Davis stated. 'Due to the nature of the investigation, he was immediately placed on administrative leave and restricted from coming on campus.'
The university added that Tarwater had been 'dismissed from his contract' in October. Davis emphasized, 'Our understanding is that these charges do not involve anyone Dr. Tarwater met or interacted with as a University professor.' He continued, 'Even so, we desire to be transparent and ensure the safety of everyone on campus.'
The Daily Mail has reached out to Tarwater's attorney Jay A. Adams, Greene County prosecutor David Hayes, and Cedarville University for additional comment.
