A Missouri college professor and church elder has been charged with asking college students for sex and suggesting he’ll pay for it.
According to KCTV5 News, 57-year-old Barry Cole Pyner from Kirksville, Missouri is a professor at Truman State University. The college professor is also a well-known elder at the Kirksville Church of Christ. But both establishments and communities are readdressing their connection to Pyner.
According to the Kirksville Daily Express, the Truman State University Police Department received a tip that Poyner had been “harassing male Truman students for sexual contact as well as offering to pay for items for sexual favors by using the app Grindr.” To investigate further, the Kirksville Police Department set up an undercover profile and was soon contacted by a user with the handle DILF. DILF told the undercover officer that he “would love to have a sugar daddy relationship” and has provided gift cards, clothing, and money to previous partners.
According to court documents, DILF reached out to the officer on December 3 and asked for sexual favors in exchange for paying the officer’s car gas, which he’d do at the agreed meeting spot of a local gas station, and offering to “throw in an Arby’s card LOL.” DILF also provided his location for where the two would go after the gas station, which was ultimately Poyner’s house.
Upon arriving at the gas station and seeing the police approaching, Poyner tried to flee the area. But, he eventually pulled over a few blocks later. While being questioned, Poyner stated that “was not doing anything with a minor.” The police then said their involvement was because Poyner was offering payment for sexual favors. Poyner then responded that he “was not going to do that” and “I was going to give him some gas.”
Truman State University issued a statement Friday evening saying Poyner has been placed on suspension.
“He has been placed on suspension and informed that he is not allowed on campus, cannot have contact with any student organizations or participate in any campus events or activities,” the statement said.
Poyner has now been charged with a class B misdemeanor count of patronizing prostitution. He is cooperating with law enforcement and expecting his first court date on January 8 in Adair County Associate Circuit Court.
Sources: KCTV5 News, the Kirksville Daily Express
