A “woke” California professor has been caught by undercover operatives during a child abuse sting operation, according to authorities.
Rodger “Rod” Githens, an associate professor at the University of the Pacific, was caught trying to arrange to rape a 7-year-old child.
However, the “child sex trafficker” who Githens thought he was talking to was actually an undercover FBI agent.
During the conversations, where he suggested luring the young girl with a doll and chocolate, Githens also gloated about previously sexually abusing other children, prosecutors said.
Githens’ Twitter account shows he regularly advocates for left-wing causes and promoted Democrats including President Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, and California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Governor Jerry Brown.
He also backed calls for President Donald Trump to be removed from office over Jan. 6.
A criminal complaint from the Eastern District of California confirms that Githens was arrested on April 21 on charges including receipt and distribution of images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The complaint reveals the horrifying nature of Githens’ intent to abuse children.
In the conversations with an undercover FBI agent, Githens boasts about children he claims to have previously abused in a horrific effort to impress the sex trafficker he believes he’s talking to.
The undercover FBI agent is posing as a “‘taboo-friendly’” 30-year-old man who claims to be sexually active with his 7-year-old niece and willing to traffic the child to other pedophiles.
During the exchange that began on the gay dating app Grindr on March 25, Githens said he was “experienced” with molesting children.
He continued by expressing 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, according to the New York Post.
Agents examining his phone and computer found that the Midwest native had allegedly exchanged videos of child sexual abuse with other Telegram users.
According to the complaint, Githens’ husband told authorities he had not been aware of his spouse’s activities.
Githens has a BS in religious studies from Lincoln Christian College, the Daily Beast reported.
In addition to a master’s degree and doctorate in human resource development, he 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 the 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.
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