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Tennessee Tech University is in the process of officially terminating Dr. Omar Elkeelany from his position at the university.
Elkeelany is currently wanted by authorities on charges accusing him of possessing child pornography.
News and Communications Director Buddy Pearson states Elkeelany’s termination will be effective Friday.
Elkeelany resigned from his position as the Interim Chair of TTU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering on Sept. 25. According to Pearson, Elkeelany then went on a self-requested leave of absence.
TTU placed Elkeelany on unpaid suspension Oct. 1 when they first heard of Elkeelany’s indictment that day. The university hired him in 2005 before appointing him as the Electrical and Computer Engineering Interim Chair last January.
District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said a Putnam County grand jury indictment accuses Dr. Omar Elkeelany of possessing more than 100 images that depict minors engaged in sexual activity.
Dunaway said when officers attempted to arrest Elkeelany, they discovered that he likely left the area or fled outside the United States. The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cybertip about photographic files containing child pornography in the area.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Dr. Elkeelany is asked to immediately contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the Cookeville Police Department or District Attorney’s Office.
