A Weatherly man was sentenced on Tuesday afternoon in Carbon County court to a county prison term for possessing child pornography.

Dominic John Caravella, 24, was sentenced by Judge Steven R. Serfass to serve six to one day less 24 months in prison on the single count, to which he previously entered a guilty plea. The jail term will be followed by one year of probation.

Caravella was arrested by the computer crimes unit of the state police. Troopers developed information that Caravella possessed photos and videos of child pornography. He was originally charged with seven counts of child pornography with six counts dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

Defense attorney Paul P. Ackourey told the court that as soon as his client was confronted by police about the charges, he cooperated. He said he waived the preliminary hearing and took full responsibility for his actions.

Caravella told the court he was sorry for his actions.

Serfass noted he received many messages of support for the defendant from friends and relatives. Serfass did reject a request for Caravella to be placed in the Restrictive Conditions of Probation program (house arrest), noting the seriousness of the charge.

Serfass said a prison term was appropriate, stating that despite the fact that no children were actually contacted, “this is not a victimless crime.” He said what Caravella did by downloading the photos of children in sex acts helped promote such illegal activities.

Serfass also ordered Caravella to supply a DNA sample, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, follow all registration requirements of Megan’s Law, submit to a sexual offenders evaluation, pay court costs of over $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and probation.

The state sexual assessment board found him not to be a violent sexual predator. However, he must register for the next 15 years as a sexual offender.

He was given credit for one day served on the charge and began the jail term immediately. He was granted work-release privileges.