Bond set at $150,000 for NOC professor accused of rape and violating the State’s Computer Crimes Act

By SHARON ROWEN | © www.kaynewscow.com

TONKAWA — After spending a night in the Tonkawa jail, Northern Oklahoma College’s Technical Director and professor of Theatre, Anthony Lee Luetkenhaus, 37, Stillwater, was booked in the Kay County Detention Center today and appeared in district court for a bond hearing, in which bond was set at $150,000.

Luetkenhaus was arrested at 2:49 p.m. Thursday on campus by Tonkawa police on probable cause.

Tonkawa police chief Nick Payne said officers responded to the college after school administration contacted police and reported allegations of sexual offenses made against students on campus.

Payne said police conducted interviews and collected evidence.

“After our initial investigations we found enough probable cause to charge him,” said Payne.

Payne said officials have submitted information to the district attorney’s office suggesting charges of Violation of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act, rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, distribution of obscene material, and commit act of lewd ness. Payne said officials believe there are at least 40 possible victims, both male and female.

“Search warrants have been served and more are going to be served,” said Payne.  He said Stillwater police assisted the Eighth District Task Force in conducting a search warrant at Luetkenhaus’ home, located in the Lakeview Ridge edition of Stillwater, last night. 

“We will be working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations Internet Against Crimes Against Children Division and that the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics could be getting involved too,” said Payne. “A thorough investigation is underway. He has ties to the Ponca Playhouse and theatre locations in Enid and Stillwater. NOC officials are fully cooperating and have been transparent in the matter including reporting the allegations to us.”

Payne said an officer is stationed at a location on the NOC campus to make sure no possible evidence is tampered with.

NOC released a statement today indicating that the college has suspended a theatre faculty member who was arrested. The release does not specifically name Luetkenhaus, however no other arrests have been reported on the campus.

Luetkenhaus has been employed at NOC since Sept. 27, 2016. He earned a Bachelor degree in 2006 at Culver Stockton College in Canton, Mo. and a master’s degree in Technical Theatre and Theatre Design and Technology from Western Illinois University.

A background report shows that he has held jobs at four other locations including Culver-Stockton College; Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Ill; The Regional Theatre of the Palouse in Pullman, Wa. and Mt. Gretna Playhouse, in Mount Gretna, Penn.