A prominent Penn State professor is facing criminal charges after he was allegedly caught on camera having sex with his dog in a public forest, prompting him to ask police to kill him when he was confronted with evidence of the bestiality, Fox 43 reports.
On Tuesday, 64-year-old Themis Matsoukas was arraigned on charges of sexual intercourse with an animal, animal cruelty, open lewdness and indecent exposure.
The investigation began two months ago, when the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources installed a trail camera at Rothrock State Forest because someone had been stealing from a public restroom.
Rangers reviewing the footage were not prepared for what they saw. The images allegedly show Matsoukas wearing nothing but a ski mask, boots, socks, a watch and backpack.
He is allegedly seen masturbating near a women’s restroom before “engaging in a sexual act with the dog,” according to an affidavit obtained by WTAJ-TV.
Investigators obtained footage from other trail cameras dating back to 2014 that allegedly show someone matching Matsoukas’ appearance walking through the woods naked.
In May, rangers were able to link Matsoukas’ vehicle to the public recreation area and obtained his license plate number, leading to his identity.
Police searched Matsoukas’ home and found a backpack matching the one photographed by the trail camera, in addition to a ski mask. An iPad was also found that allegedly contained explicit videos from the trail, according to WJAC-TV.
Matsoukas’ dog, a collie, was found at his home and was consistent with the kind of dog seen in the trail camera footage. When investigators confronted Matsoukas, he allegedly pleaded with them to kill him.
“I’m done, I’m dead, you don’t understand, I do it to blow off steam,” Matsoukas allegedly told the rangers, according to WTAJ-TV.
“What do I have to do to get you to shoot me? I need to die.”
The chemical engineering professor has taught at Penn State since 1991. He is now on leave and has been relieved of his duties, the Centre Daily Times reports.
Matsoukas is expected back in court on July 19 for a preliminary hearing.
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[Feature Photo: Themis Matsoukas/Penn State Department of Chemical Engineering]
