Crime & Safety

Former Wheaton College Professor Sentenced in Child Porn Case

A 62-year-old former Wheaton College professor was sentenced today in DuPage County Court to 42 months in prison for a possession of child pornography charge. 

Donald Ratcliff, of 2S 557 Continental Drive in Warrenville, entered a guilty plea in August to one count of possession of child pornography, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney press release.               

An ongoing effort by the Carol Stream Police Department against child pornographer, which involves continuously policing the Internet for child pornography, led authorities to Ratcliff, according to the news release.  

Prosecutors said an undercover investigation revealed Ratcliff possessed between 500 and 1,000 images and videos containing child pornography, according to the DuPage County State's attorney.

“To say child pornography is a victimless crime is simply not true,” Berlin said. “Each one of these photographs and videos represents a victim. They are not just images, they are real children who have been subjected to unbearable pain and humiliation just to satisfy the disgusting sexual desires of people such as Mr. Ratcliff…"

Ratcliff will be required to serve 50 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Find out what's happening in Napervillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Source: DuPage County State's Attorney press release 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.