ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A University of Georgia instructor was fired this week after a video went viral on social media of him being confronted about inappropriate predatory texting with a minor.

The university said that during their investigation, they learned that he left the country late Tuesday.

“The individual involved in this incident has been terminated from employment by the University of Georgia and barred from campus,” the university said in a statement.

ORIGINAL STORY: UGA instructor ‘removed from campus’ after viral video accuses him of pedophilia, school says

They said even with him leaving the country, “the UGA Police Department remains fully committed to investigating this case, and we are moving forward with a criminal investigation.”

On Wednesday, UGA Police executed a search warrant at the individual’s Athens residence and recovered additional evidence, they said.

Atlanta News First is not identifying the instructor at this time because he has not been charged.

Street Sweeperz, an Athens group dedicated to catching those believed to be child predators approached the professor. The videos posted online show the group of men confronting him on UGA’s campus with printed-out screenshots of a conversation the professor allegedly had with what he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.

“Someone like him that has this position, and has this responsibility to help develop children and early adults, we want somebody that’s righteous in there, that’s a positive role model. Someone that teach the kids how to be good people,” said Angelus Pereira, with Street Sweeperz.

The group said he sent explicit videos and messages.

“I made a mistake,” he can be heard repeating in the video. “... I got carried on by the conversation.”

The group then announced the allegations in front of what appears to be the professor’s class.

“We all have kids and we all want them to be safe. Maybe there’s a couple parents out there able to sleep a little bit better tonight,” said Pereira.

The university is asking anyone who might have information about these allegations to contact UGA PD at 706-542-2200. Information can also be provided to the CyberTipline, a national reporting mechanism for cases of child sexual exploitation. Reports may be made 24/7online at cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.

Return to Atlanta News First for updates on this developing story.

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