An Eastern Michigan University professor has been banned from campus after he was caught by former "To Catch a Predator" host Chris Hansen in a televised sting operation.
Two individuals were arrested by Hansen and law enforcement in an episode of "Takedown with Chris Hansen" on TruBlu. One of which, was Vijay Mannari, the director of the Coatings Research Institute at EMU, as reported by MLive.com.
EMU confirmed Mannari's arrest in a statement Oct. 15, adding that the actions Mannari is "accused of are detestable and abhorrent." The university shared that Mannari has been suspended and banned from campus.
The Huron Township Department of Public Safety said in a post to Facebook that the arrests were made in a sting operation targeting individuals who thought they were soliciting minors for sex, when in reality they were actually talking to a police officer.
In an episode of "Takedown with Chris Hansen," officers said Mannari allegedly believed he was texting a 15-year-old girl, as reported by the Detroit Free Press.
Charges have been filed by authorities, but both of the individuals arrested were released after 72 hours by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office while digital evidence continues to be reviewed.
Mannari first began working at EMU as a teacher in 2003, and became a full-time professor in 2012. EMU said it is "not aware of any allegations against the individual that involve University employees or students," but will continue to cooperate with investigators.
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