UPDATED (11:10 A.M.): Judge Dimisses Case Against Former EMU Administrator

By Pete Delea
DNRonline
March 29, 2016

http://www.dnronline.com/article/hartman_case_dismissed

A Rockingham County judge dismissed the case against a former Eastern Mennonite University administrator accused of soliciting an undercover police officer for sex.

Luke Hartman, 46, of Harrisonburg, was one of 10 people charged on Jan. 8 with misdemeanor solicitation of prostitution by the Harrisonburg Police Department.

During trial today in Rockingham County General District Court, Judge William Eldridge said there wasn't enough evidence.

"There is not a specific act that was elicited by Mr. Hartman," said Eldridge. "I follow the law no matter what. The law is the law."

During the case, an undercover police officer testified that she had two phone calls with Hartman before he arrived at a city hotel.

The phone calls were recorded and played in court.

Hartman asked during one of the phone calls of the officer was a cop. She said "no."

"He is clearly worried about getting in trouble for something illegal," said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Armanda Clymer.

Hartman then arrived at the hotel, entered the room and found an undercover officer. Investigators testified that he put $80 down on a table.

The investigator later asked Hartman what he was there for. He responded "companionship."

Hartman's attorney, Aaron Cook, argued that the commonwealth didn't meet the burden of proof because Hartman nor police stated a specific sexual act that would be paid for.