A professor at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas has been charged with possessing child pornography after Texas Christian University's IT team alerted authorities to the presence of explicit images, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Charles Kilby Bellinger, 62, who served as a theological librarian and professor of theology and ethics at Brite Divinity School, was arrested on Oct. 4. He was charged with possession of child pornography and immediately terminated from his position, the school confirmed.
The federal investigation began after Texas Christian University IT staff reported finding images on Bellinger's work computer with file names that included terms such as "infant" and "toddler."
While Brite Divinity School is not a unit of Texas Christian University, the two institutions share campus grounds and IT services.
Investigators reported recovering multiple sexually explicit images of prepubescent minors from a hard drive and an SD card found in Bellinger's office. During a preliminary hearing Thursday, an agent testified that officers also seized encrypted devices from a locked safe in Bellinger's office. Forensic specialists are analyzing the contents of these devices, according to authorities.
According to CBS News, Brite Divinity School placed Bellinger on administrative leave immediately following the charges and subsequently terminated his employment.
In a statement to CBS, Vanessa A. Daley, a spokesperson for the divinity school, said:
"The behavior outlined in the criminal complaint against Charles Bellinger, a former faculty member, is repugnant and the antithesis of our values and mission. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and are grateful for their service in protecting children from abuse. We keep in our prayers all those affected by this horrific situation, especially the children."
The Star-Telegram reached out to Bellinger's attorney, Cody Cofer, who released a statement regarding the case:
"Unfortunately, with the nature of these allegations, law enforcement and much of the public assume guilt. However, it seemed the Fort Worth police officer who testified at the preliminary hearing today had no firsthand knowledge of any direct evidence of guilt. Mr. Bellinger's legal team is already conducting a comprehensive investigation to clear the path for the truth to be presented in his defense."
According to the Star-Telegram, Bellinger was released on bond following his hearing.
If convicted, Bellinger faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
The Secret Service and the Fort Worth Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit worked with Texas Christian University Campus Police on the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aisha Saleen is prosecuting the case.
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