Professor Charged for Child Porn Also Had 2 Pistols, 1,600 Rounds of Ammunition

Donald Ratcliff, a professor who teaches an online course in children's spirituality, who faces charges of possession of child pornography, weapons and ammunition, is scheduled for a bond hearing Thursday, March 8. He was unable to post bond Friday morning.

with two counts of aggravated possession of child pornography, two counts of possession of a firearm without a FOID card and one count of possession of ammunition without a FOID card.

Dan Collins, attorney for Ratcliff, requested next week's hearing in front of DuPage County Judge Elizabeth Sexton Friday morning. Officials said Ratcliff had 1,600 rounds of ammunition and the weapons were pistols. Collins said Ratcliff's weapons were "family heirlooms."

Ratcliff, who lives in Carol Stream and is a faculty member at Wheaton College, will be required to surrender the guns and ammunition until the March 8 hearing. He also will be prohibited from using computers, the internet and from having contact with anyone under 18.

Assistant State's Attorney Anne Therieau said six or seven computers were seized from Ratcliff after an undercover investigation conducted by Carol Stream police. 

Ratcliff is a professor of Christian education at Wheaton College. According to a statement fom the college, an administrative leave for Ratcliff is pending.