A 20-year-old Tucson man has been sentenced to five years in prison for child pornography.
Jesus Alberto Villegas was sentenced after a guilty plea to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor under the age of 15.
“I want to apologize for my behavior,” Villegas said at Friday’s sentencing hearing in Pima County Superior Court. “It was inappropriate.”
Pima County Superior Court Judge Carmine Cornelio told Villegas he should take advantage of any counseling available to him in prison.
“What you did was wrong and you really need to get as much help as you can,” Cornelio said.
Cornelio noted Villegas’ youth, remorse and family support as mitigation in sentencing.
In December Tucson Police learned of someone at his house near East Broadway and North Craycroft Road sharing child pornography images and videos using a peer-to-peer file sharing network.
A search of Villegas’ computer turned up dozens of child pornography images. He was originally charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
He was arrested in March.
After completing the five-year prison term, Villegas must serve 15 years probation and register as a sex offender.
