JOHNSON COUNTY — An Emporia State University placed on administrative leave following an arrest for alleged child sex crimes is due back in court Wednesday.
Last week, 72-year-old Howard Pitler was booked into the Johnson County jail on requested charges of electronic solicitation of a child under 14 years old, according to online jail records. He met the requirements of a $25,000 bond and is no longer in custody.
According to Emporia State, “Upon being made aware of the arrest of Howard Pitler, the university responded immediately and placed Pitler on administrative leave. With our rich tradition as a premier Teachers College, the care and safety of students of all ages is of the utmost importance. Pitler taught fully online master’s level courses as an associate professor of School Leadership, Middle & Secondary Teacher Education in The Teachers College. He has been at ESU since 2018. Emporia State will cooperate fully with authorities. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation.”
