LONDON — A Middlesboro man was sentenced to serve 71 months in prison for child pornography following sentencing in U.S. District Court Monday.

Judge Danny C. Reeves sentenced Michael Hodson, 42, to 71 months in prison — just short of six years — and lifetime supervision upon release for possession of child pornography. Hodson pleaded guilty to the charge in January.

Hodson acknowledged during his guilty plea that he received multiple images of child pornography in December 2002 and possessed the images on his computer in February 2006.

Along with possessing child pornography, Hodson also engaged in a sexually explicit chat with what he believed was a 12-year-old boy, but was actually an undercover detective for the Kentucky State Police.

The investigation was conducted by the Kentucky State Police, electronic Crime Section. Assistant U.S.. Attorney Erin May represented the United States in the case.

James-Clifton Spires is senior staff writer for the Daily News. His e-mail address is jcspires@middlesborodailynews.com.