GREENE COUNTY — A former Cedarville University professor is facing rape and sexual assault charges.
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John Tarwater was indicted by a Greene County Grand Jury on charges of rape, sexual battery, and gross sexual imposition.
The charges are connected to incidents that happened on the following dates:
- Aug. 5, 2019 through Aug. 4, 2022
- Aug. 5, 2022, through March 20, 2025
- March 21 2025, through July 28 2025
Court documents allege the victim was 10 to 12 years old in the incidents from Aug. 5, 2022, through March 20, 2025, and was known to Tarwater.
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Documents also allege the victim involved in the incidents from March 21, 2025, through July 28, 2025, was under 18 and known to Tarwater.
It is unclear how many victims are invovled.
Tarwater was a finance professor at Cedarville University until he was placed on administrative leave in July 2025 and dismissed from his contract in October 2025 after the university discovered he was under investigation.
Cedarville University sent News Center 7 the following statement:
“Cedarville University administration was informed in July 2025 that Dr. John Tarwater was under investigation for concerning allegations. Due to the nature of the investigation, he was immediately placed on administrative leave and restricted from coming on campus. In October, he was dismissed from his contract.
When we learned the specific nature of the charges by the Greene County Grand Jury on March 31, 2026, Cedarville administration believed it was important to share the information with the Cedarville University community. While it is our understanding that these charges do not involve anyone Dr. Tarwater met or interacted with as a University professor, our guiding priority was transparency and the safety and well-being of everyone on campus.
This is a grievous situation, and we have encouraged our campus community to pray for healing for all affected."
Tarwater is currently booked in the Greene County Jail.
We will continue to follow this story.
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