FORT WORTH – A theology professor at Texas Christian University has been federally charged according to Leigha Simonton, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
Charles Kilby Bellinger, 62, a professor of theology and librarian at the Brite Divinity School at TCU was charged with allegedly storing pornographic images of children on his work computer.
Kilby was charged on Oct. 4 for possession of child pornography the criminal complaint alleges.
After the IT staff for TCU found the pornographic images with alarming file names including “infant” and “toddler,” on Dr. Bellinger’s work computer, they reported it to law enforcement.
While searching through a hard drive and an SD card removed from Bellinger’s office, investigators found multiple sexually explicit images of pre-pubescent minors.
During a detention hearing on Thursday, Oct. 10, an agent revealed that law enforcement had also confiscated several encrypted devices.
The encrypted devices were found in a locked safe in his office and are currently undergoing forensic analysis according to police.
A criminal complaint is an allegation of criminal conduct and not evidence. Bellinger is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If convicted, Bellinger faces up to 20 years in federal prison.