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© Adam Ferrise, NE Ohio Media GroupWillie Harrell, left, appears in Akron Municipal Court on Monday.
A Kent State University English professor was arrested Wednesday night after being accused of driving to an Akron elementary school to have sex with a teenage boy he met online, police say.

Willie J. Harrell Jr., 44, of Akron, was arrested in the parking lot of Smith Elementary School at about 11 p.m.

Authorities say he was with a 15-year-old he met online three days prior to the encounter.

A police officer discovered the two while responding to a report of a suspicious car in a parking lot.

"When the officer approached the vehicle, the windows were steamed up and the car was moving, bouncing," Akron Police Capt. Daniel Zampelli said.

Harrell emerged from the backseat along with the boy and admitted he arranged the meeting "with the purpose of pursuing a sexual relationship," Zampelli said. The youth and Harrell both told police that they had not had sex before the officer arrived.

Harrell has been charged with an adult curfew violation, a misdemeanor; and attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, a fourth-degree felony; and importuning, a fifth-degree felony.

Authorities also obtained a warrant and searched his home. Zampelli would not comment on any details related to the search.

Detectives are investigating whether there may be other potential victims, a standard procedure, he said.

Harrell, who was being held at the Summit County Jail, was expected to be arraigned Friday in Akron Municipal Court.

Kent State has placed Harrell, who has taught English at the school since 2003, on paid suspension. Classes are set to begin Monday.

"University leaders are aware of the arrest, and Professor Harrell has been suspended pending the investigation," school spokesman Eric Mansfield said in a news release. "He will have no contact with our students, and his courses will be taught by other faculty members."

Harrell is an associate professor of English and worked with the provost on projects, including promoting diversity on campus. He has helped to recruit, retain and mentor black, Latino and Native American faculty and staff, according to his resume. He also is the author of the books Origins of the African American Jeremiad and We Wear the Mask: Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Politics of Representative Reality.

Source: The Akron Beacon Journal