College professor ‘overpowered’ Tinder date and sexually assaulted her, Texas cops say

A college professor is accused of inviting a Tinder date to his home and sexually assaulting her, Texas authorities say.

Charles Rodney Finnell, Jr., a 56-year-old professor at Lee College in Baytown, is charged with aggravated sexual assault following the alleged Feb. 1, 2024, assault, the Kemah Police Department said.

Authorities say Finnell began speaking to a 26-year-old woman through Tinder, and they met at a public park. That night, the woman met Finnell for dinner at his Galveston County home.

After dinner, he “began making unwanted sexual advancements” to the woman, police said.

“The victim attempted to leave the residence, at which time the suspect attacked and overpowered the victim and began to strangle her,” police said. “The suspect sexually assaulted the victim.”

It was only after the alleged assault that the woman was allowed to leave, according to a Feb. 19 news release. Police said the woman needed medical attention.

As officers investigated, they learned other women had warned about their experiences with Finnell, police said. The woman described the man’s behavior as “aggressive.”

Police are now investigating other possible incidents involving Finnell.

He was arrested Feb. 19 and jailed on an $80,000 bond, investigators said.

Finnell is listed as an accounting professor at Lee College. In a statement to KTRK, the college said Finnell has been placed on administrative leave.

“The college takes allegations of violence seriously and is committed to maintaining a safe learning and work environment for our students and employees,” the college said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary.”

Finnell’s attorney, Ryan Fremuth, said his client is innocent, telling KTRK there are text messages that will “shed light onto the falseness of this allegation.”

Kemah is about a 35-mile drive southeast of Houston.