'I do it to blow off steam': Award-winning Penn State professor accused of molesting dog

Themis Matsoukas, 64, a professor of chemical engineering, faces various charges including open lewdness, indecent exposure, sexual intercourse with an animal, and animal cruelty, reported WTAJ.

The Centre Daily Times indicated that a criminal complaint, filed by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, stated that Matsoukas was seen engaged in sexual acts with a dog near the restrooms at Rothrock Sate Forest on at least one occasion.

Park rangers reportedly identified the professor on the basis of his North Face backpack, present in the video where Matsoukas was allegedly otherwise naked but for his socks and shoes. The backpack allegedly also played a starring role in other deviant spectacles caught on video, going back as far as 2014.

The trail camera, set up to monitor people stealing bags of hand sanitizer from the state park restrooms in the Alan Seeger Parking Area, reportedly filmed a man in a state of undress masturbating, molesting a collie, and performing other lewd acts while trying to record the degenerate performance on an electronic device, reported WPMT.

The DCNR indicated the area where the alleged acts took place was within viewing distance of Stone Creek Road, frequently transited by visitors on their way to the nearby picnic area, campgrounds, and Penn Roosevelt State Park.

Investigators began looking into the incident in April, but were confronted by more evidence in May, when Matsoukas allegedly returned to perform more foul deeds. This second incident in recent months provided investigators with additional insights into the possible identity of the suspect.

According to the complaint, park rangers served a search warrant to the professor at his home in State College on June 9, finding Matsoukas "visibly nervous."

Inside his home, DCNR rangers found a collie whose characteristics matched those of the dog in the videos, along with items worn by the suspect in the videos and three iPads.

Matsoukas is said to have repeatedly told the rangers, "I'm done, I'm dead, you don't understand, I do it to blow off steam."

At one point during the search, the professor allegedly told investigators to shoot him, saying, "I need to die."

Matsoukas, the recipient of various awards including the "Outstanding Teaching Award" from the Penn State Engineering Society, has taught graduate and undergraduate courses for the past 20 years.

The university noted in a statement, "Themis Matsoukas has been relieved of his responsibilities and is on leave."

The professor's attorney, Matthew McClenahen, said Wednesday that "it would be inappropriate to make any comment at this time."