Sarah Hauer

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor appeared in court Sunday on multiple sexual assault charges, according to online circuit court records.

Anthony A. Azenabor was charged Saturday with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, use of force and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault in offenses that took place in March, April and May of 2018, according to court records.

UPDATE:Complaint says UWM professor emphasized his importance to student before sexual assault

Azenabor is listed in the university's College of Health Sciences faculty directory as a professor with expertise in infectious diseases and immunity.

According to circuit court records:

During Azenabor's appearance Sunday, the court ordered Azenabor to be turned over to Milwaukee nonprofit social justice organization JusticePoint for supervision. He was ordered to surrender his passport by Wednesday. A cash bond was set at $7,500.

Azenabor can have no contact with two individuals, the UWM campus or UWM faculty. A preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. March 13.

The university issued a statement Sunday afternoon that said Azenabor is not assigned to teach any classes and does not have contact with students.

"The charges against Prof. Azenabor are very serious," the statement said. "UWM police have been working closely with the district attorney’s office on the criminal investigation. The university administration is evaluating his continued employment.

"UWM is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all of our students, and we always encourage students who believe they have been victimized to come forward and speak to police. Their courage allows us to take action."

Sarah Hauer can be reached at shauer@journalsentinel.com or on Instagram @HauerSarah and Twitter @SarahHauer. Subscribe to her weekly newsletter Be MKE at jsonline.com/bemke.