PROVO — A man investigators said had more than 23,000 images of child pornography on his computer was sentenced Tuesday, but he won't be going to prison.
Donald Gibby, who cried during his sentencing hearing as he expressed sorrow for what he had done, faced a prison sentence of one to 15 years on each of the 30 counts of exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.
But 4th District Judge Steven Hansen instead sentenced Gibby to 279 days in jail and probation, after defense attorneys argued for jail time because it would allow Gibby to continue a treatment program in which he was progressing well.
Hansen also imposed a $603 fine.
Gibby was arrested during a child porn Internet sting last September, and pleaded guilty to the 30 charges on Jan. 31, 2012.
The state wanted Gibby to serve prison time, saying the tens of thousands of child porn images proves he's a threat.
But Adult Probation and Parole, citing Gibby's lack of a previous criminal history, also recommended the lighter sentence.
A parole violation could reinstitute the longer sentence, which was suspended by Hansen.
Gibby, who uses computers in his work as an Internet consultant, will have to take polygraph tests to prove he isn't searching for child pornography.
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