Posted 10:48 pm Friday, January 04, 2013
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TJC professor arrested on theft charges, resigns post
A well-known Tyler Junior College professor was arrested for theft the day after Christmas and has since turned in his letter of retirement.
TJC government professor Dr. Manouchehr Khosrowshahi, known as “Dr. K” on campus, was arrested on multiple charges around at the Walmart on Troup Highway.
Don Martin, Tyler police spokesman, said Khosrowshahi, 59, fabricated barcodes, and placed the barcodes over those of items he was purchasing to make them cheaper.
“When (Walmart’s) loss prevention observed him putting barcodes over the other barcodes and trying purchasing them, they stopped him, detained him and called the police,” Martin said.
Martin said his purchases totaled about $45 and included boxer shorts, olive oil, rice and LED light bulbs.
While waiting for police to arrive, Khosrowshahi allegedly tried to eat more barcodes he had with him, he said.
Martin said Khosrowshahi was charged with theft under $1,500, which is normally a class C misdemeanor. Because he had two previous theft convictions, the charge was elevated to a state jail felony. He was charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, as well as fraudulent destruction, removal or concealment of writing, a class C misdemeanor, for the alleged fabrication of the barcodes.
His total bond was set at $15,000. He was confined about 3 p.m. Dec. 26 and released from jail around 10:20 a.m. Dec. 27.
TJC government professor Dr. Manouchehr Khosrowshahi, known as “Dr. K” on campus, was arrested on multiple charges around at the Walmart on Troup Highway.
Don Martin, Tyler police spokesman, said Khosrowshahi, 59, fabricated barcodes, and placed the barcodes over those of items he was purchasing to make them cheaper.
“When (Walmart’s) loss prevention observed him putting barcodes over the other barcodes and trying purchasing them, they stopped him, detained him and called the police,” Martin said.
Martin said his purchases totaled about $45 and included boxer shorts, olive oil, rice and LED light bulbs.
While waiting for police to arrive, Khosrowshahi allegedly tried to eat more barcodes he had with him, he said.
Martin said Khosrowshahi was charged with theft under $1,500, which is normally a class C misdemeanor. Because he had two previous theft convictions, the charge was elevated to a state jail felony. He was charged with tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony, as well as fraudulent destruction, removal or concealment of writing, a class C misdemeanor, for the alleged fabrication of the barcodes.
His total bond was set at $15,000. He was confined about 3 p.m. Dec. 26 and released from jail around 10:20 a.m. Dec. 27.
Khosrowshahi is a former Fulbright Scholar and in 2008 was awarded Texas Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, according to a 2008 news release from the college.
In 2006, he was one of 25 instructors selected to a post-doctoral fellowship at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on the topic of post-9/11 peace and security, the release states. He has also served as director of the Middle East Outreach Project at TJC and coordinated the annual International Day, which celebrates cultural diversity.
Dr. Fred Peters, spokesman for TJC, said Khosrowshahi turned in his letter of retirement to the administration on Thursday. In it he cites physical and mental health as the cause of his decision, Peters said. The notice was effective immediately.
“It was a great pleasure to work at TJC since 1987,” Khosrowshahi said in his letter.
KYTX CBS19 contributed to this report.
In 2006, he was one of 25 instructors selected to a post-doctoral fellowship at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., on the topic of post-9/11 peace and security, the release states. He has also served as director of the Middle East Outreach Project at TJC and coordinated the annual International Day, which celebrates cultural diversity.
Dr. Fred Peters, spokesman for TJC, said Khosrowshahi turned in his letter of retirement to the administration on Thursday. In it he cites physical and mental health as the cause of his decision, Peters said. The notice was effective immediately.
“It was a great pleasure to work at TJC since 1987,” Khosrowshahi said in his letter.
KYTX CBS19 contributed to this report.
