Charles Rodney Finnell Jr., a 56-year-old Kemah man and a college professor, is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault following a Tinder date gone wrong. According to Click2Houston, Finnell was arrested after a woman, whom he met on the popular dating app Tinder, reported being attacked at his home following a date in February 2024.
Meeting first at a Friendswood park, the pair then proceeded to Finnell's residence on Bay Avenue in Kemah. While trying to leave, the woman was reportedly overpowered and sexually assaulted by Finnell who also strangled her, as detailed in the allegations. The victim sought medical attention after the purported attack. ABC13 reported that multiple social media posts from different women have surfaced, warning about Finnell's aggressive behavior, which helped the authorities in their investigation.
The Kemah Police Department, led by Chief Raymond Garivey, is now looking into other potential incidents involving Finnell and encourage anyone with information to contact them at 281-334-5414. Police surveillance video shows Finnell being taken into custody, with his bail set at $80,000.
Finnell's attorney, Ryan Fremuth, told ABC13, ""Mr. Finnell adamantly asserts his innocence. The facts will reveal that he did not commit this offense. These allegations are abjectly false. Text messages exist that shed light onto the falseness of this allegation. It is concerning that a controverted assertion is sufficient for law enforcement in this county to pursue such serious criminal charges against someone. We merely ask the public not to jump to conclusions from incomplete and inaccurate information being presented."
Finnell, who is an accounting professor at Lee College in Baytown, had been placed on administrative leave since October 2024, as the college learned of the arrest and charges against him. They released a statement emphasizing their commitment to maintaining a safe learning and work environment, indicating they would take appropriate action as needed.
