UTRGV music professor arrested for sexual assault

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A music professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been arrested on sexual assault charges.

Hidalgo County Jail records show that George Jaques Amorim was arrested by UTRGV police on Tuesday on charges of sexual assault and indecent contact.

He was released from the Hidalgo County Jail the next day. His bail was set at $16,500.

Amorim is an associate professor of string instruments and double bass at the UTRGV Music School and directs the annual Long live the soil! South Texas Double Bass Festival, according to his biography on the university website.

According to the university, Amorim has been under investigation for these allegations since 2023.

The UTRGV Police Department has completed its investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Professor George Amorim. Arrest warrants have been issued for sexual assault (2nd degree felony) and indecent assault (Class A misdemeanor). Dr. Amorim, who has been on investigative leave since August 30, 2023, turned himself in at our Edinburg station on Tuesday and will be arraigned in Edinburg Municipal Court.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for our community and will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout this process.

Patrick Gonzales, spokesman for UTRGV

The accusation of sexual assault against the music professor is a second-degree felony that, if convicted, can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.