Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – An Athens man is going to prison for more than two decades after being convicted of federal child pornography-related charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says Christopher Wagy, 28, was sentenced last week to 28-years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and Possession of Child Pornography.  He could have received as much as 30 years on the exploitation charge alone.

Prosecutors claim Wagy bought multiple cellular phones for a minor in another state and ordered the girl to take nude photos of herself, then shared them on the internet.

“A sentence of 28 years ensures that this defendant will not be able to prey upon other young children,” said Greg Gilmore, U.S. Attorney, in a news release. “While no sentence can undo what has happened to these victims, our Office will continue to seek justice by prosecuting those who take advantage of our most vulnerable population.”

Authorities say the F.B.I. offices in Springfield and in Maryland, federal prosecutors in Maryland, and police in Goodyear, Arizona aided in the investigation.