MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An academic advisor at the University of Mississippi was arrested this week after Oxford Police say he committed a crime against a child.

“It kind of makes me nervous,” said University of Mississippi incoming freshman Parker Wells. “I think it’s insane. There’s so many children, well maybe not children, but so many young kids in Oxford and on campus and that’s so sad. It’s really just sad.”

On Tuesday, the Oxford Police Department received information from a citizen about a possible crime. Investigators with the OPD and the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit began looking into the complaint.

After further investigation and consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, officers arrested 37-year-old Michael Smith for enticement of a child.

“We investigated it, we consulted with the DA’s office and they decided to go forward with charges of enticement,” Oxford PD Public Information Officer Breck Jones said.

The OPD would not comment further on the nature of the incident or the age of the child.

Enticement of a child is defined under Mississippi law as “any person who maliciously, willfully or fraudulently leads, takes or carries away any child under the age of 14, with intent to detain or conceal such child from its parents.

It can, but is not always sexual in nature.

Smith was arrested on Tuesday and taken to the Lafayette County Detention Center. His bond will be set by the Municipal Court Judge at a later date.

“It is difficult. It’s nothing that you ever want to deal with but it is reality,” Jones said. “Our job here is to protect everybody, regardless of age. And that’s what we do – is to try to protect and take care of our community.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the University of Mississippi told WREG, “The University learned of the arrest late yesterday and the employee has been placed on leave and is not allowed on campus.”

Still, Wells said he feels uneasy.

“It’s not right at all and he should – if he’s in jail – he should stay in jail for sure,” Wells said.

Smith is being held at the Lafayette County Detention Center awaiting bail.

The OPD asks that if anyone has information about this person that they call the Oxford Police Department at 662-232-2400.