An Arizona State University associate professor, Shiyou Wu, faces charges of child sex trafficking and aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation following his arrest when he allegedly attempted to engage in sexual activities with an undercover officer he believed was a teenager. Wu, who was an associate professor at the School of Social Work and engaged with the university's China Initiatives, has since been placed on administrative leave, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
According to court documents obtained by AZ Central, Wu sent a sexual photo to an undercover Chandler Police officer on a dating app, who had depicted themselves as a 15-year-old boy through age-regressed images. The documents further revealed that Wu had prepared for the meeting by borrowing an SUV and purchasing alcohol, presumably for the minor.
Wu was apprehended on April 18, and his arrest has spotlighted the unsettling realities of online child exploitation. An ASU spokesperson said, "Shiyou Wu has been placed on administrative leave and is prohibited from accessing campus or engaging in any Arizona State University activities while the university undertakes action in accordance with Arizona Board of Regents and ASU policy." Due to the ongoing nature of the case, the university is unable to offer additional comments at this time.
After his arrest, Wu was subject to a $100,000 bond and was released on electronic monitoring on April 20 upon posting bond.
