Former Culver-Stockton, Western Illinois professor faces up to life in prison on rape charges in Oklahoma

TONKAWA, Okla. — A former theater professor at Culver-Stockton College and Western Illinois University faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being charged May 5 with first-degree rape and other felony sex-related charges.

Anthony Lee Luetkenhaus, 37, made his first appearance in Kay County District Court on May 7. He faces 5 years to life without parole on the first-degree rape charge; up to 20 years on a kidnapping charge; up to 10 years each on two counts of sexual battery; and up to a year in prison and/or a fine up to $1,000 on a misdemeanor charge of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images.

He is scheduled to make his next court appearance for a status hearing on Nov. 5.

Kevin Hassler, associate editor for the Enid News & Eagle, reported that according to the website anthonyluetkenhaus.com, Luetkenhaus was at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Okla., since 2016 as director of technical theater and professor of theater. His teaching experience also includes spending 2010-13 at C-SC and 2008 at WIU.

Luetkenhaus facing rape, kidnapping, sexual battery charges

A charging sheet provided by Kay County District Court shows the rape charge stems from an incident at the NOC campus in which Luetkenhaus is accused of having sex with the victim “where force was used … by restraining (the victim) with rope and refusing to free (the victim) from the restraints.” 

The kidnapping charge accuses Luetkenhaus of “unlawfully confining (the victim) without lawful authority and with the intent to confine (the victim) against her will,” also on the NOC campus. The time frame for the rape and kidnapping charges listed is Jan. 1, 2017, through June 1, 2018.

The two counts of sexual battery involve a second victim. They accuse Luetkenhaus of “intentionally touching the body of (the victim), a person over 16 years of age, in a lewd and lascivious manner and without the consent of (the victim).” The time frame for one count is Aug. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2018. The time frame for the second count is Jan. 1, 2019, through May 31, 2019.

The misdemeanor charge accuses Luetkenhaus of “intentionally disseminating images of identifiable individuals whose intimate parts are exposed with the intent to harass the individuals.”

NOC officials announced Luetkenhaus’ employment was terminated May 4.

“Our campus community is heartbroken for the victims in the allegations against Tony Luetkenhaus. We are fully cooperating with the Tonkawa Police Department in the investigation,” NOC President Cheryl Evans said. “We are doing everything we can so justice is served and we can begin the healing process. We want to thank the courageous people who stepped forward to report their experiences. Our college is a safer place because of your bravery.”

Oklahoma college learned of allegations on April 28

NOC administration became aware of allegations against Luetkenhaus on April 28. Law enforcement was invited to campus to investigate.

In a Facebook post, the Tonkawa Police Department said interviews were made April 29 with “numerous students” based on sexual offense allegations made against Luetkenhaus. Additionally, police officials “were presented evidence and disclosures during the course of this initial investigation.”

Luetkenhaus was arrested and jailed on $150,000 bond. 

Following Luetkenhaus’ arrest, Tonkawa Police Department, with the assistance of the 8th District Attorney’s Office, filed for and executed search warrants on Luektenhaus’ residence in Stillwater and his office on the NOC Tonkawa campus, according to the TPD Facebook post. Evidence was collected and seized.

“We have reached out to additional state agencies for assistance in this developing investigation,” the Facebook post stated. “Since the arrest, new alleged victims inside and outside of Oklahoma continue to come forward who are present or past students of Luetkenhaus. As this investigation continues, we anticipate additional charges and additional victims.”

Oklahoma City TV station reported interviews with two students

KOKH-TV, a Fox affiliate in Oklahoma City, reported two students said Luetkenhaus had created a game in which he sexually assaulted them and instructed them to recruit other students to be assaulted. As a part of the game, Luetkenhaus was the “master.” He was allowed to “take” anyone of his “pets” at any given time. Take was described by one of the students as rape and pets were the students.

The first student described she had added Luetkenhaus on Snapchat sometime in January 2018. He added her back the same night. Later in the evening, she sent him a photo of a drink. He responded with four photos of an erect penis throughout the night. Two of them had his face in the photo as well.

The same student reported that during a play or rehearsal in August or September 2018, Luetkenhaus forcefully picked her up by grabbing her by the butt. During the 2019 spring semester, the student said Luetkenhaus asked her to help him carry a heavy bench into an area of his workshop after a rehearsal. Once in the workshop, Luetkenhaus ran his hands up and down her body and fondled her bare breasts, according to the affidavit.

The second student said she became a student at the college in 2016. Luetkenhaus showed special interest in her and gave her special attention from early on. The student later said she developed a close relationship with Luetkenhaus that centered around a bondage, dominance, sadomasochism environment.

Professor reportedly suggested he had photos, videos of students from Illinois and Missouri

The student said that in 2017 or 2018, Luetkenhaus told her to meet him at the “light tower” of the theatre for consensual sex after a play. When she showed up, Luetkenhaus tied her up, something she didn’t expect or consent to. She said sex with Luetkenhaus became painful, and she asked him to stop. He didn’t. She said she did not report the incident because it was considered a betrayal against the master. She said she feared for her safety if she reported the incident.

The student explained that from 2016 to now, she was Luetkenhaus’s pet. She was to be a sex slave and recruit other pets for him. The student explained that during this time, she was told to recruit other girls to partake in three-way sexual encounters. The students being recruited were students both past and present of the college.

The student said Luetkenhaus would document the encounters and save photos and videos on his phone and computer. Eventually, Luetkenhaus bragged about his collection to the student. He suggested he had photos and videos of students from Illinois and Missouri as well.

The student said she was told to recruit a 12-year-old girl, the daughter of one of the staff members at Northern Oklahoma. She said Luetkenhaus has been involved in the game or had photos of more than 40 students at Northern Oklahoma. The student told police during the interview if Luetkenhaus found out she told them information, he would kill her.