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University of Tampa's media services director charged with sexually battery on minor

 
Booking photo from Tampa Police Department
John Stepro, director of media services at the University of Tampa, was arrested Sunday and charged with sexually battering a minor.
Booking photo from Tampa Police Department John Stepro, director of media services at the University of Tampa, was arrested Sunday and charged with sexually battering a minor.
Published April 24, 2017

TAMPA — A director on the staff of the University of Tampa was arrested Sunday after police say he had sex with a minor against her will.

John Paul Stepro, director of media services at the university, is charged with sexually battering a person between the age of 12 and 17. Stepro, 43, had sex with the girl, performed a sex act on her and forced her to perform a sex act on him, a Tampa police arrest states. Stepro knows the girl, according to the report.

Stepro was arrested about 6 p.m. Sunday at a home in the 2700 block of 10th Street in Tampa. Property records show he owns the house at that address. He was being held Monday without bail in the Hillsborough County jail.

University of Tampa spokesman Eric Cardenas said Monday that Stepro has been placed on administrative leave while officials gather information about his arrest.

"We're reviewing the situation and we'll move forward from there," Cardenas said.

Stepro has worked at the university for about 15 years, Cardenas said. He declined to answer additional questions about his employment.

According to the university's web site, the Media Services department "offers a broad range of audio, video, training and presentation services." The department's primary focus is "the support of instructional technology in the classroom."

Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374. Follow @tmarrerotimes.