Professor charged in horrifying child sex abuse sting

A California professor has been busted for trying to arrange to rape a 7-year-old in conversations with an undercover FBI agent where he suggested luring the girl with a doll and chocolate, prosecutors said.

Rodger “Rod” Githens, an associate professor at the University of the Pacific, was arrested on April 21 on charges including receipt and distribution of images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, a criminal complaint from the Eastern District of California confirms.

The graphic complaint includes extensive details of Githens’ online conversations with an undercover FBI agent posing as a “‘taboo-friendly’” 30-year-old man who claimed to be sexually active with his 7-year-old niece.

During the exchange that began on Grindr on March 25, Githens said he was “experienced” with molesting children and expressed interest in meeting the man and his niece.

“[I would] love to have a dad or uncle invite me,” he allegedly wrote after the pair moved their conversation to the encrypted Telegram messenger service.

When discussing plans to meet in Fresno, Githens said he would bring the girl “her favorite chocolate bar…and an Ariel doll.”

Githens, 44, also told the undercover agent that he was married to a 35-year-old man from Mexico, and that he once molested his husband’s 11-year-old nephew while watching television.

“Little kids are so sexual,” he insisted.

Githens also sent the agent self-destructing selfies, which authorities matched to his official driver’s license photo and his faculty bio on the University of the Pacific website.

A search warrant for Githens’ person, home, and electronic devices was executed on April 19.

Agents examining his phone and computer found that the Midwest native had allegedly exchanged videos of child sexual abuse with other Telegram users.

Githens’ husband told authorities he had not been aware of his spouse’s activities, the complaint read.

Githens has a BS in Religious Studies from Lincoln Christian College, The Daily Beast reported.

In addition to Master’s and doctoral degrees in Human Resource Development, he also did graduate coursework at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

At the time of his arrest, Githens was the Alexandra Greene Ottesen Endowed Chair for Leadership & Organization Development at University of the Pacific. He also ran a consulting practice.

University spokesperson Mike Klocke told The Daily Beast on Monday that Githens had been placed on administrative leave.

“The university does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings,” he said.

If convicted on the charges, Githens faces up to 20 years behind bars.