Houck's Bail Doubled to $100,000 in Penobscot County
Judge Szylvian increased the cash bail for the former Husson professor charged with ten felonies involving child sexual abuse material and privacy violations.
By Jason Cooper ·
Jonathan Houck's cash bail increased to $100,000 on Monday.
The former Husson University associate professor appeared in Penobscot County court on Monday afternoon. Judge Meghan Szylvian raised the amount from the $50,000 set over the weekend. Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Lynds requested the increase during Houck's first court appearance.
Houck faces ten felony charges. Six counts involve the possession of child sexual abuse material. Four counts are violations of privacy. He was arrested on Friday. He did not enter a guilty plea because the charges are felonies. A grand jury will determine whether to indict him.
Police found child sexual abuse material on Houck's phone, Lynds told the court. The images involved children as young as five years old. There is no indication Houck produced the images. While investigating that case, officers found images on Houck's accounts. The photos showed college women who did not know they were being recorded.
Lynds described how Houck used his position as an exercise science professor and assistant cross country coach. She stated he had students undress and weigh themselves while a hidden camera recorded them. A student posted a TikTok video on Thursday detailing the incident. The video described a fall 2025 class where students needed to provide body weights. The student undressed to her bra and underwear for the process.
Lynds characterized the allegations as a deviant criminal sexual interest in adults combined with a sexual interest in children. She noted Houck used his position of trust to create the opportunity to capture students in states of undress. Houck's attorney for the day did not argue against the bail increase. Houck has retained separate counsel who will address bail at a later date.
Houck remains in the Penobscot County Jail. Bail conditions prohibit contact with any children. He cannot contact current or former Husson students. He is barred from the campus. If he posts bail, he cannot live within five miles of a school.
Source: Bangor Daily News
