BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A former Indiana University professor accused of sexually assaulting a student pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of criminal confinement, a felony.
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed the sexual battery charge.
Wang was a senior lecturer at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music when the alleged assault happened.
“Guoping is a loving father and was a mentor and teacher to thousands of students, who have described him as one of the best dance instructors they have ever had,” said Katharine C. Liell, Wang's attorney.
Court documents say Wang approached a student after Nutcracker rehearsals at the IU Musical Arts Center in November 2015, and asked her to “stay to work on her technique.”
Wang attempted to kiss the student and when she got up to leave, he stood between her and the only door to the office, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Wang then closed the door to his office and turned the light off, pulled the woman’s leotard down and began touching her sexually, prosecutors said.
The student told police she told Wang “no” and tried to use her hands to cover her body, court records show.
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Liell said the judge received numerous letters from Wang’s supporters.
“The people that know Guoping best all said that this was highly uncharacteristic of him, that he is more than his worst bad act,” said Liell.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Robert Miller said the plea agreement was reached with the victim’s approval.
Indiana University fired Wang immediately following an internal investigation.
Indiana University General Counsel handed police a 13-page internal investigation on May 4, 2016, records show, describing their investigation into Wang.
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