Penn State Professor Facing More Charges for Lewd Acts, Indecent Exposure in State Forest

A Penn State professor accused last year of committing lewd acts with a dog in a state forest is facing more charges.

Video retrieved during the investigation shows 64-year-old Themis Matsoukas, of State College, walking around and climbing nude, masturbating and defecating in public areas of Rothrock State Forest in Huntingdon County, state lease camps and private property, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed Monday by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

About 55 videos recorded by Matsoukas in May and June of 2023 were found during a search of his iPad after his initial arrest, a DCNR ranger wrote. Many of the videos allegedly depict the chemical engineering professor engaging in criminal behavior.

The videos show Matsoukas nude or nude from the waist down while wearing a ski mask, which investigators say they found during a search of his residence.

Matsoukas is seen in the videos masturbating on a picnic table and porches at lease camp buildings, on DCNR vehicles and in a lake, according to the affidavit. He was observed inserting a tree branch, a lollipop and the control handle of a DCNR John Deere crawler in his anus during several videos, the ranger wrote.

He is also accused of defecating on a lease camp property and in a maintenance area next to DCNR equipment, as well as smearing bodily fluid on a glass table at a lease camp.

The videos were recorded at the Alan Seeger Picnic Area and maintenance area in Jackson Township, four lease camps and two private properties surrounded by state forest land, according to the affidavit.

Matsoukas did not have permission to enter the private properties or lease camps and would peer into buildings to ensure no one was there, the ranger wrote. While in public areas he clothed himself and acted casually when he heard others approaching, according to the affidavit.

He is charged with two felony counts each of burglary and criminal trespass, six misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure, two misdemeanor counts of open lewdness, two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and six summary counts of disorderly conduct for obscene gestures.

He was arraigned by Huntingdon County District Judge Douglas Gummo and released on unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21.

Matsoukas was relieved of his responsibilities as a professor and put on leave by Penn State after he was arrested last year. His status remains unchanged, a university spokesperson said on Monday

Matsoukas was initially charged in June 2023 after being observed on trail camera in the Alan Seeger Natural Area masturbating and enticing a dog to lick his anus, according to an affidavit filed at the time. Huntingdon County prosecutors have said the dog no longer lives with Matsoukas.

Owners of two private camps also provided trail camera images dating back as far as 2014 that allegedly showed Matsoukas nude from the waist down.

Matsoukas was identified by his vehicle, and investigators said a search of his home yielded backpack, ski mask, watch and boots, all of which appeared to match those observed in the video, as well as the iPad with videos recorded by Matsoukas.

He was charged with misdemeanor counts of open lewdness, indecent exposure and sexual intercourse with an animal, as well as summary counts of cruelty to animals and disorderly conduct. That case is still pending in Huntingdon County Court.