Northwestern professor charged with child pornography possession

Stephen A. Miller, a 41-year-old research assistant professor at Northwestern University, has been arrested and charged with three felony counts of possessing child pornography. The arrest followed a search of his Highland Park home after authorities identified that Miller had “downloaded and shared several child sexual abuse material” files from his home IP address.

Digital forensic examiners from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office examined electronic devices seized during the search. Miller, who works at the university’s Laser and Electronics Design core facility, appeared in court on Thursday. Prosecutors have requested his detention, with a hearing scheduled for August 31. The current charges carry potential prison sentences of three to seven years and significant fines, with additional charges expected.