Statement
University Statement, Oct. 5, 2020:
The University of Texas at Austin learned Friday, October 2, 2020, that the Criminal Investigations Division in the Office of the Texas Attorney General arrested an adjunct faculty member, Mario Villarreal, on charges related to child pornography. A managing director at the Salem Center for Policy at the McCombs School of Business, Villareal was immediately placed on investigation leave and removed from all teaching and administrative duties.
The university performed a criminal background check when Villarreal was hired in 2019, which did not reveal any information related to prior criminal conduct or charges. The university is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities as they investigate all matters related to the disturbing allegations raised in this case.
Resources
This upsetting news may trigger strong emotions. The university encourages its community members to access resources available if needed:
- For students: UT Austin’s Counseling and Mental Health Center
- For faculty and staff: UT Austin’s Employee Assistance Program
- For concerns that people feel should be reported to the UT Austin Title IX office, please contact them directly. Receipt of this communication does not necessitate mandatory reporting under SB212.
Messages to campus
- Interim Dean Lillian Mills’ Response to McCombs Employee Arrest — Message to McCombs School community — Oct. 5, 2020
News
- University of Texas faculty member faces 5 counts of possession of child porn — KCAN-TV — Oct. 5, 2020
- University of Texas professor charged with five counts of possession of child pornography — Austin American-Statesman — Oct. 5, 2020