Rutgers University Dean of Research Joshua Kohut was arrested and charged with fourth-degree invasion of privacy on Tuesday. State authorities seized five electronic devices, alleging a forensic review uncovered “upskirt” videos recorded without the victim’s knowledge on the New Brunswick campus.
Joshua Kohut Arrested and Charged With Invasion of Privacy
A high-ranking administrator at Rutgers University is facing criminal charges after state investigators executed a search warrant on his electronic devices. Joshua Kohut, 51, of Cranbury, New Jersey, was arrested and charged by complaint with one count of fourth-degree invasion of privacy, according to an announcement from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Kohut serves as the dean of research at the university’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and as research director at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. State prosecutors allege that Kohut used a mobile phone to record secret “upskirt” videos while working on campus in New Brunswick City within Middlesex County.
“The defendant is alleged to have used his mobile phone to record ‘upskirt’ videos without his victim’s knowledge. An invasion of privacy like this is not just disturbing, it is also a criminal act. We will prosecute accordingly.”
Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey Attorney General
Search Warrant Execution and Forensic Device Review
The criminal case unfolded following an investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the Division of Criminal Justice. Detectives executed a search warrant on Kohut’s electronic devices, seizing five devices in total during the operation.
Subsequent forensic examinations of the seized hardware revealed digital files depicting another person’s undergarments. Investigators confirmed that one device contained videos showing an unidentified individual’s undergarment-clad intimate parts
captured without consent.
While the criminal complaint indicates that the accused and the victim may have known each other in some capacity, state officials have not publicly disclosed whether the victim is a student or staff member affiliated with Rutgers University. Prosecutors also have not specified how many individual recordings were recovered.
University Action and Academic Background
In response to the arrest, Rutgers University leadership took swift administrative steps. The institution placed Kohut on paid administrative leave and barred him from all campus grounds pending the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
Rutgers University characterized the allegations in an official statement, describing the developments as extremely disturbing
after learning of the charges from state law enforcement.
Kohut maintains a decades-long career history with the university. He first arrived at Rutgers as a graduate student approximately 28 years ago, eventually moving into faculty and administrative roles. He is a professor within the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences whose academic work focused on coastal ocean observing systems, radar, sensors, and gliders. He also helped establish and co-chaired the university’s Offshore Wind Collaborative.
University officials appointed him to his current post as dean of research on January 1, 2025, noting at the time that he would serve as an active participant on the executive dean’s leadership team.
Potential Penalties and Legal Next Steps
Court documents indicate that Kohut was released on bail following his initial arrest. He did not have a defense attorney listed in electronic court records.
The fourth-degree invasion of privacy charge carries severe legal consequences under New Jersey state law. If convicted, the educator faces up to 18 months behind bars and financial penalties reaching up to $10,000 in fines.
State prosecutors and investigators are actively urging additional individuals who believe they may have been targeted, or anyone possessing relevant details about the case, to contact authorities. The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety directed potential victims and informants to reach out to Lt. Jon Norcia.
