In a bond hearing Monday in Lynchburg General District Court, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Rebecca Wetzel said prosecutors’ evidence shows Moon touched the student’s genitals during a massage.
The student was taking a test in Moon’s office, Wetzel said. Because she suffered headaches and backaches, he offered to give her a massage after the test.
She lay down on the floor, and Moon began the massage, Wetzel said. The student fell asleep. When she awoke, Moon was touching her genitals, Wetzel said.
Wetzel said prosecutors’ evidence shows Moon had previously given the student massages at her home on campus.
Authorities allege the incident occurred April 21; he was charged two days later.
Moon was granted a $25,000 secured bond Monday afternoon.
Joshua Young Moon, of Durham, N.C., taught mathematics at LU. His employment was terminated in connection with being charged with one count of object sexual penetration by force.
Moon is scheduled for an attorney advisement hearing Friday.
Moon is scheduled for an arraignment May 1.
How is there evidence that he had given her a massage at “her home on campus” when the opposite sex is not allowed in the dorms? Since he is not allowed in the girls dorms on campus, how would there be proof that he was there, unless someone else saw him there and then shouldn’t he have gotten in trouble for that whenever that happened? This doesn’t make any logical sense.
How is there evidence that he had given her a massage at “her home on campus” when the opposite sex is not allowed in the dorms? Since he is not allowed in the girls dorms on campus, how would there be proof that he was there, unless someone else saw him there and then shouldn’t he have gotten in trouble for that whenever that happened? This doesn’t make any logical sense.
I honestly do not see how this story is viable. As a psychology major, while learning about crisis intervention I was taught that women who claim rape or anything of that sort are supposed to be believed right away because the number of false claim cases are slim. However, this young woman’s story does not sound like something that could happen at Liberty, not because of ignorance of feeling like living in a safe bubble but, because of the rules set forth in this institution that would help to prevent a situation like this. If what this article says is indeed what the girl states, then I have a hard time believing this is not a fabrication. Moon, under Liberty Way, would not be able to get into this girl’s dorm to give her massages. Men are not allowed in women’s residential halls, nor vice versa. Also, I have heard nothing but praise and adoration of Moon from his students, prior to this alleged incident and still now. There’s more I could say, but it’s finals week and I have work to do. I just pray that the truth comes out and that if Moon has done this he gets the punishment deserved, however, if he has not done this, then I pray he is able to lead a full life with his family, as a professor not being judged for the foolish mistake a a girl who cried wolf.
I honestly do not see how this story is viable. As a psychology major, while learning about crisis intervention I was taught that women who claim rape or anything of that sort are supposed to be believed right away because the number of false claim cases are slim. However, this young woman’s story does not sound like something that could happen at Liberty, not because of ignorance of feeling like living in a safe bubble but, because of the rules set forth in this institution that would help to prevent a situation like this. If what this article says is indeed what the girl states, then I have a hard time believing this is not a fabrication. Moon, under Liberty Way, would not be able to get into this girl’s dorm to give her massages. Men are not allowed in women’s residential halls, nor vice versa. Also, I have heard nothing but praise and adoration of Moon from his students, prior to this alleged incident and still now. There’s more I could say, but it’s finals week and I have work to do. I just pray that the truth comes out and that if Moon has done this he gets the punishment deserved, however, if he has not done this, then I pray he is able to lead a full life with his family, as a professor not being judged for the foolish mistake a a girl who cried wolf.
Dear Heather and Nikki,
Although it is sometimes hard to believe because we, as students, are almost always surrounded by incredibly godly men and women, not ALL students follow the Liberty Way.
It seems that you are both stuck on the fact that he visited her dorm. But really, what is harder to believe, that he visited her room, or that he sexually violated her? The one does not necessarily preclude the other.
Dear Heather and Nikki,
Although it is sometimes hard to believe because we, as students, are almost always surrounded by incredibly godly men and women, not ALL students follow the Liberty Way.
It seems that you are both stuck on the fact that he visited her dorm. But really, what is harder to believe, that he visited her room, or that he sexually violated her? The one does not necessarily preclude the other.
What the problem is here is that Moon has been giving a student back massages period. This in and of itself is against the “Liberty Way” and against the morals of a marriage. There is absolutely no excuse for a married man to be visiting a female student and providing a massage esp. at her residence. Obviously, if the allegations are correct, there was a little more than back massages going on here. No young lady should be dumb enough to assume that this is appropriate. Moreover, lying on the floor is unheard of in any normal student teacher relationship. And who falls asleep in such a situation? This is unfortunantly and very unbelievable story. It sounds fabricated because it is full of holes, but even if he is guilty, both parties were involved. This girl should have known better, and I have a hard time believing it was all against her will. Something else must have been going on, or else its a fraud.
What the problem is here is that Moon has been giving a student back massages period. This in and of itself is against the “Liberty Way” and against the morals of a marriage. There is absolutely no excuse for a married man to be visiting a female student and providing a massage esp. at her residence. Obviously, if the allegations are correct, there was a little more than back massages going on here. No young lady should be dumb enough to assume that this is appropriate. Moreover, lying on the floor is unheard of in any normal student teacher relationship. And who falls asleep in such a situation? This is unfortunantly and very unbelievable story. It sounds fabricated because it is full of holes, but even if he is guilty, both parties were involved. This girl should have known better, and I have a hard time believing it was all against her will. Something else must have been going on, or else its a fraud.
Prior to hearing about this alleged incident, I would have never thought Dr. Moon could do such a thing. Even now I find the victim’s claims specious.
1. She was given a test in Dr. Moon’s office. Weird.
2. He offered to give a her a massage for her head and back aches. Weirder.
3. She fell asleep during the massage. What?
4. “Wetzel said prosecutors’ evidence shows Moon had previously given the student massages at her home on campus.” Seriously? Were these massages given for her headaches as well?
None of this makes sense. Here’s hoping the truth is quickly brought to light. By the way, I’m very glad these details have been released. Frankly, the vague charge of “object sexual penetration by force” sounds more vicious than this.
Prior to hearing about this alleged incident, I would have never thought Dr. Moon could do such a thing. Even now I find the victim’s claims specious.
1. She was given a test in Dr. Moon’s office. Weird.
2. He offered to give a her a massage for her head and back aches. Weirder.
3. She fell asleep during the massage. What?
4. “Wetzel said prosecutors’ evidence shows Moon had previously given the student massages at her home on campus.” Seriously? Were these massages given for her headaches as well?
None of this makes sense. Here’s hoping the truth is quickly brought to light. By the way, I’m very glad these details have been released. Frankly, the vague charge of “object sexual penetration by force” sounds more vicious than this.
Let me say up front I’m not making a judgment call one way or another on the validity of the student’s allegations or whether Dr. Moon did this or not.
That said, there is **so much** that happens on campus that you all never hear about. My last semester at LU (Fall ’07) there was a female student raped in between 2 Campus East dorms. Did you hear about that? I highly doubt it. These kinds of things occur far, far more often I think than what anybody will admit.
My point is comes down to this: The incident with Dr. Moon should be evaluated purely on facts, not by what you or I think did or did not happen, what somebody is or is not capable of, or how nice you thought he was when you took Statistics. Nice people are capable of doing horrible things; and at a place like Liberty where everything is swept under the rug and tucked away, this does not surprise me at all.
Let me say up front I’m not making a judgment call one way or another on the validity of the student’s allegations or whether Dr. Moon did this or not.
That said, there is **so much** that happens on campus that you all never hear about. My last semester at LU (Fall ’07) there was a female student raped in between 2 Campus East dorms. Did you hear about that? I highly doubt it. These kinds of things occur far, far more often I think than what anybody will admit.
My point is comes down to this: The incident with Dr. Moon should be evaluated purely on facts, not by what you or I think did or did not happen, what somebody is or is not capable of, or how nice you thought he was when you took Statistics. Nice people are capable of doing horrible things; and at a place like Liberty where everything is swept under the rug and tucked away, this does not surprise me at all.
I distinctly recall Dwayne Carson telling everyone that the rape stories were completely false and made up…not true?
I distinctly recall Dwayne Carson telling everyone that the rape stories were completely false and made up…not true?
All i have to say to this is, if all this is true, then i am highly disappointed by the actions of Professor Moon, if not then I am sorry , because allegations like this even if they are not true, has and will effectively kill off his teaching career, please be in prayer for him, Also Jed is right, there is a lot of stuff that happens on campus that doesn’t get attention, although I believe the Rape story from last year was a fabrication, there are other things that has happen that the general student population doesn’t know about
All i have to say to this is, if all this is true, then i am highly disappointed by the actions of Professor Moon, if not then I am sorry , because allegations like this even if they are not true, has and will effectively kill off his teaching career, please be in prayer for him, Also Jed is right, there is a lot of stuff that happens on campus that doesn’t get attention, although I believe the Rape story from last year was a fabrication, there are other things that has happen that the general student population doesn’t know about
I cannot believe that he was fired because of some illogical story. I have been to his office 3 times and there are people lined up evey single time. I had to wait 20 minutes last time. Normally, he does not close the door. Also there is a little window that someone could have easily looked through.
I’m in his class right now. We have had several students take the test later then the rest of us, and they have to take it in the testing center. Another thing, who falls asleep on a thinnly covered cement floor. How long would that take? I won’t address the dorm thing.
This does not make sense, and if you wants to start something to support him, I would love to do that. From what I can see, he is innocent.
I cannot believe that he was fired because of some illogical story. I have been to his office 3 times and there are people lined up evey single time. I had to wait 20 minutes last time. Normally, he does not close the door. Also there is a little window that someone could have easily looked through.
I’m in his class right now. We have had several students take the test later then the rest of us, and they have to take it in the testing center. Another thing, who falls asleep on a thinnly covered cement floor. How long would that take? I won’t address the dorm thing.
This does not make sense, and if you wants to start something to support him, I would love to do that. From what I can see, he is innocent.
When does this student come forth?
When does this student come forth?
Does anyone know what happened at the arraignment? None of the news stations have anything on their websites.
Does anyone know what happened at the arraignment? None of the news stations have anything on their websites.
I’d like to know what happened at the arraignment too. Somebody find out.
I’d like to know what happened at the arraignment too. Somebody find out.
Has there been any more news on this story? Joshua Moon was one of my favorite professors when I did my undergrad at LU, and this story completely shocked me.
Has there been any more news on this story? Joshua Moon was one of my favorite professors when I did my undergrad at LU, and this story completely shocked me.
Prof. Moon is the best teacher liberty ever had. Not only was he an excellent stat teacher, he is an mazing man of God to. I went to his office before and i was in there for an hour and nothing of this sort happened. First of all it is so hard to be with him in the office, because studetns are constantly waiting to speak with him. Even while i was in there two peopl had quickly stopped by to sign into his class, because it was full, and he sighned them in. But he was the first and only teacher at LU that has prayed for me and my whole family. It was so encouraging. The girls story still does not add up. I mean wouldnt she feel awkward getting a massage by her teacher, and who can fall asleep in alittle offfice eit h a hard floor. and his office is surrounded by 3 other offices right next and across to his. I heard Prof. Moon prayed and the read Bible and fasted the whole time he was in jail. It is sad how murders are raoming the street and the innocent get put in jail. Liberty lost their best teacher, P. Moon.
Prof. Moon is the best teacher liberty ever had. Not only was he an excellent stat teacher, he is an mazing man of God to. I went to his office before and i was in there for an hour and nothing of this sort happened. First of all it is so hard to be with him in the office, because studetns are constantly waiting to speak with him. Even while i was in there two peopl had quickly stopped by to sign into his class, because it was full, and he sighned them in. But he was the first and only teacher at LU that has prayed for me and my whole family. It was so encouraging. The girls story still does not add up. I mean wouldnt she feel awkward getting a massage by her teacher, and who can fall asleep in alittle offfice eit h a hard floor. and his office is surrounded by 3 other offices right next and across to his. I heard Prof. Moon prayed and the read Bible and fasted the whole time he was in jail. It is sad how murders are raoming the street and the innocent get put in jail. Liberty lost their best teacher, P. Moon.
Something is completely amiss with this case. My friends and I have known him since his student days at VA Tech, his days as a math professor at LU and as a teacher/leader of KCCC for Korean student community. For cultural reasons, I do acknowledge he may have been more touching of students (probably more aware of the importance of “skinship” as they say in the East) than regular American professors, but sexual penetration? That’s just a B.S. Knowing him personally, I may be little biased, but I don’t think he’s that stupid to put his reputation, his family, and his faith at risk that way. Something is completely amiss not with Joshua Moon, but either with that girl and the legal process here.
Something is completely amiss with this case. My friends and I have known him since his student days at VA Tech, his days as a math professor at LU and as a teacher/leader of KCCC for Korean student community. For cultural reasons, I do acknowledge he may have been more touching of students (probably more aware of the importance of “skinship” as they say in the East) than regular American professors, but sexual penetration? That’s just a B.S. Knowing him personally, I may be little biased, but I don’t think he’s that stupid to put his reputation, his family, and his faith at risk that way. Something is completely amiss not with Joshua Moon, but either with that girl and the legal process here.
I have heard this story from the internet many times, and whatever possessed the girl to lie down on the floor to let Mr. Moon give her a back rub, i don’t know.
I have heard this story from the internet many times, and whatever possessed the girl to lie down on the floor to let Mr. Moon give her a \back rub\, i don’t know.
Just something to consider….the Commonwealth Attorneys Office does not prosecute cases unless the case has sufficient facts and evidence to hold up in court. They are the lawyers, not us. I am a little disturbed at the victim blaming going on here and would think people to be better than taking the media at its word. Unless you sat in the court room, heard the evidence presented, and know all the details surrounding the case you have NO room to comment about “why” a person made the choices they did. I love it that someone on here said “from what I see he is innocent”… yeh from what you see he may be, but do you have facts on the case? Do you have some inside information on his innocence that the prosecutor does not? If so I am sure Ms. Wetzel would love to hear from you. Try supporting the person who has to not only deal with the media swarm but also the emotions that come along with what happened to her. If you want facts on the case try looking in the right place NOT the media. http://www.ocalynchburg.com says his case is up for docket call on October 5…public and correct information. I am NOT here to say he is guilty or he is innocent because I don’t know if he is…nor am I here to start some battle about how great of a professor he was. I am simply asking that before you start judging a victim understand that you don’t have all the facts, at this point no one outside that courtroom does. Think about WHAT you say before you say it.
Just something to consider….the Commonwealth Attorneys Office does not prosecute cases unless the case has sufficient facts and evidence to hold up in court. They are the lawyers, not us. I am a little disturbed at the victim blaming going on here and would think people to be better than taking the media at its word. Unless you sat in the court room, heard the evidence presented, and know all the details surrounding the case you have NO room to comment about “why” a person made the choices they did. I love it that someone on here said “from what I see he is innocent”… yeh from what you see he may be, but do you have facts on the case? Do you have some inside information on his innocence that the prosecutor does not? If so I am sure Ms. Wetzel would love to hear from you. Try supporting the person who has to not only deal with the media swarm but also the emotions that come along with what happened to her. If you want facts on the case try looking in the right place NOT the media. http://www.ocalynchburg.com says his case is up for docket call on October 5…public and correct information. I am NOT here to say he is guilty or he is innocent because I don’t know if he is…nor am I here to start some battle about how great of a professor he was. I am simply asking that before you start judging a victim understand that you don’t have all the facts, at this point no one outside that courtroom does. Think about WHAT you say before you say it.
Well I am really surprised for this news! It just doesn’t make sense at all, it is not because I took the Statistics with Mr. Moon, I know him well and I believe that he would not do such a horrible thing like that. As same as Mike, I used to go to his office for after class questions and tried to ask help if he has time but he usually packed with students or he is not there. As far as I know, he used to drive from NC and goes to somewhere else to preach so he was very busy man and for fact he is not used to be at his office and when he is there, he will be packed with students and also he does open the door all the time. Another thing is, his room is so small not even girl can fall sleep comfortably, and it is a cement floor so it is cold I am so surprised that the evidence said she fell sleep on the floor! doesn’t make sense at all to someone who used to go to his office. Also I used to take after class exam and I did it for several times because of the illness and always took the test at the testing center. I never heard he let the students take the exam at the office, by the way, his office is so close to three other professor’s office too so how in the world he would do such a thing like that. also whoever went to LU know that no male allowed to be at girls dorm not even the chancellor. I think this is scam, I am so sad for Mr. Moon and the girl who accused him just destroyed his life and career. I hope she understands her mess that she made. I feel so bad for Mr. Moon’s family and I hope that God will make this thing as clear as sky. God bless him, He was the one of the best professor I ever had and the best human being too. I honestly and 100% believe that the girl accused Mr. Moon for false stuff.
Well I am really surprised for this news! It just doesn’t make sense at all, it is not because I took the Statistics with Mr. Moon, I know him well and I believe that he would not do such a horrible thing like that. As same as Mike, I used to go to his office for after class questions and tried to ask help if he has time but he usually packed with students or he is not there. As far as I know, he used to drive from NC and goes to somewhere else to preach so he was very busy man and for fact he is not used to be at his office and when he is there, he will be packed with students and also he does open the door all the time. Another thing is, his room is so small not even girl can fall sleep comfortably, and it is a cement floor so it is cold I am so surprised that the evidence said she fell sleep on the floor! doesn’t make sense at all to someone who used to go to his office. Also I used to take after class exam and I did it for several times because of the illness and always took the test at the testing center. I never heard he let the students take the exam at the office, by the way, his office is so close to three other professor’s office too so how in the world he would do such a thing like that. also whoever went to LU know that no male allowed to be at girls dorm not even the chancellor. I think this is scam, I am so sad for Mr. Moon and the girl who accused him just destroyed his life and career. I hope she understands her mess that she made. I feel so bad for Mr. Moon’s family and I hope that God will make this thing as clear as sky. God bless him, He was the one of the best professor I ever had and the best human being too. I honestly and 100% believe that the girl accused Mr. Moon for false stuff.
Take a step back and think for a moment. Suppose this girl WAS violated. Suppose the media (I know this one is a stretch…) did not give a completely accurate explanation of what occurred. Suppose Professor Moon is guilty.
What do you think some of these comments are doing to this girl and her friends or family if they read this?
What if there was someone else who had the courage to come forward only because the first girl did?
I don’t know. Neither do you if you aren’t involved personally in the case. Obviously a lot of details are not being shared for the privacy of all involved.
I just ask that we aren’t so quick to attack this girl. What if she told the truth?
I had Professor Moon and thought very highly of him, but we need to be careful not to make some sort of god out of him.
She has no more capacity to make up a story than he does to have done what he’s accused of.
Take a step back and think for a moment. Suppose this girl WAS violated. Suppose the media (I know this one is a stretch…) did not give a completely accurate explanation of what occurred. Suppose Professor Moon is guilty.
What do you think some of these comments are doing to this girl and her friends or family if they read this?
What if there was someone else who had the courage to come forward only because the first girl did?
I don’t know. Neither do you if you aren’t involved personally in the case. Obviously a lot of details are not being shared for the privacy of all involved.
I just ask that we aren’t so quick to attack this girl. What if she told the truth?
I had Professor Moon and thought very highly of him, but we need to be careful not to make some sort of god out of him.
She has no more capacity to make up a story than he does to have done what he’s accused of.