STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A former Indiana college president pleaded not guilty Tuesday to child enticement and other charges for allegedly trying to meet for sex who he believed was a 15-year-old boy, but was actually a police officer.
No trial date was set for Thomas Minar, 57, on 15 charges, including a dozen counts of possession of child pornography. He returns to court Jan. 4 for a status conference, court records show.
Franklin College fired Minar after learning of the arrest. Minar announced last year he planned to step down as president June 30, 2020.
According to the criminal complaint, a Sturgeon Bay police officer created a profile on social media. In a text, the officer — posing as high school student named Tyler — told Minar he was 15 years old. The two discussed meeting, and Minar allegedly sent Tyler explicit photos. They arranged to meet at a fast food restaurant in Sturgeon Bay, where he was arrested.
Minar said he talked with Tyler due to curiosity and boredom, but denied he was interested in ‘sexual things,’ according to the criminal complaint.
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