Texas College Instructor Accused of Brutal Tinder Date Attack

Dating apps are more popular than ever. Swipe right if you're interested. Swipe left if you aren't. If you've got a cell phone, it's pretty easy to find someone to see a movie with on a Saturday night, but, you've still got to be careful.

A Tinder date with a Texas college professor resulted in charges of aggravated sexual assault, according to the Kemah Police Department.

56-year-old Lee College professor Charles Rodney Finnell, Jr., is accused of strangling and sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman he met on Tinder when she attempted to leave his Galveston County home after the pair met up in a public park and then decided to have dinner at his place.

The woman was reportedly overpowered by Finnell when she tried to leave, at which point he began strangling her, followed by the alleged sexual assault.

Investigators learned from the victim that other women had warned her about their experience with Finnell and had described his behavior as "aggressive." The victim required medical attention following the alleged attack.

Finnell was arrested on February 19th, 2025, and remains in jail with an $80,000 bond. He has also been placed on administrative leave. Meanwhile, his lawyer argues there are "text messages" that will prove his innocence.

We'll have to see how it all plays out in court.

In the meantime, please use caution when you meet a stranger for a date. You never know how it could play out. Even an esteemed professor or businessperson is capable of violence. Be careful out there.