A Nebraska man who was arrested during a North Dakota sting operation has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison on a child pornography charge.
Forty-one-year-old Robert Vangorden, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty earlier to distributing materials involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Authorities say Vangorden was apprehended after an undercover investigation by Dickinson police. Vangorden allegedly talked with an officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social media site known as "Chat Avenue," and sent the officer images and videos of child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Vangorden to 17 years and six months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.
A federal public defender could not be reached for comment.