Highland Park man — also an NU professor — reportedly caught sharing child sexual abuse material

A two-month Lake County investigation resulted this week in the arrest of a Highland Park man who allegedly possessed child sexual abuse material.

County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant Wednesday, Aug. 26, at a Highland Park residence and arrested Dr. Stephen Miller, 41, who was charged with two felonies, according to a press release from the Lake County State’s Attorney, the charging agency.

Miller reportedly is an assistant professor at Northwestern University in the Laser and Electronics Design Core Facility.

According to the release, an investigation began in June 2026 when the state’s attorney learned of illicit online file sharing in the county’s jurisdiction.

Investigators determined Miller allegedly shared several child sexual abuse materials through a “peer-to-peer-file-sharing network.”

A search of Miller’s residence, reportedly aided by two police electronics-locating canines (Enzo and Grip), resulted in the recovery of several electronic devices seized by authorities, the release says.

Miller was charged with three counts of possession of child pornography.

“Protecting children is one of the highest priorities of our office,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “Our Cybercrimes Division, special investigators, and law enforcement partners continue working tirelessly to uncover critical evidence in cases involving the exploitation of children. We will continue investing in the tools, resources, and partnerships necessary to hold offenders accountable.” 

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