Northwestern University police lieutenant charged with child porn

A Northwestern University police lieutenant has been placed on administrative leave after being charged with child pornography for taking inappropriate photos of a teenage girl, according to police.

Ronald Godby, 53, was charged with manufacturing child pornography, possessing child pornography and grooming, all felonies, according to Cook County court records.

Last week, Mount Prospect police were alerted to “inappropriate Snapchat pictures of a pornographic nature” posted by Godby, according to a statement from police.

The photos were of a 17-year-old girl, who told police Godby took the inappropriate photos of her at his home in the 700 block of South Oak Avenue in Mount Prospect, police said.

Authorities searched Godby’s home, vehicles and his office at the Northwestern University Police Department on Monday, and took several computers, hard drives, data storage units and professional cameras.

Investigators found pornographic pictures of the 17-year-old girl, taken four years ago when she was 13, on Godby’s hard drive, according to the statement. Authorities do not believe Godby ever shared the photos.

Godby has been placed on administrative leave and banned from campus, according to a statement from Northwestern spokesman Alan Cubbage.

“There is no indication of any risk to the Northwestern community from this individual at this time,” he said. “This is now a criminal matter under investigation by the appropriate authorities, and Northwestern University is cooperating in that investigation.”

Godby was ordered held on a $100,000 bond during an appearance at the Rolling Meadows courthouse Wednesday, according to court records. He is next scheduled to appear in court Feb. 26.

As a condition of his bond, Godby cannot have contact with anyone under 18 years old outside of his immediate family, must give all his guns to the local police department, and cannot use the Internet or a cell phone, according to police.