STURGEON BAY, WI. (WTAQ-WLUK) – A former Indiana college president charged with three counts for trying to meet who he believed was a 15-year-old boy, but was actually a police officer, made his initial appearance Monday.
Thomas Minar, 56, faces charges of child enticement, using a computer to facilitate a sex crime, and exposing a child to harmful material.
Minar waived the usual 10-day time limit for a preliminary hearing to held. He returns to court Feb. 20 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.
