UTRGV music professor arrested on sexual assault charge

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

_{George Jaques Amorim (Photo from UTRGV faculty page)}

George Jaques Amorim was arrested by UTRGV police Tuesday on a charge of sexual assault and indecent assault, Hidalgo County Jail records indicate.

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

Amorim is an Associate Professor of Strings and Double Bass in the School of Music at UTRGV and directs the annual ¡Viva el Bajo! South Texas Double Bass Festival, according to his bio on the university website.

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

_{George Amorim (Hidalgo County Jail)}

The UTRGV Police Department has concluded its investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving Professor George Amorim. Arrest warrants for Sexual Assault (2nd Degree Felony) and Indecent Assault (Class A Misdemeanor) were issued. Dr. Amorim, who has been on investigative leave since August 30, 2023, turned himself in at our Edinburg station Tuesday and will be arraigned at the Edinburg Municipal Court. 
 
The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff are of utmost importance to us. We are committed to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our community and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities throughout this process.

The music professor's charge of sexual assault is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in state prison if convicted.