A Mercer man will spend up to 2 years in state prison for e-mailing pornographic images of children to an undercover state trooper two years ago.

Ira Paul Bennett, 21, of 241 S. Erie St., pleaded guilty last month to criminal use of communications, a third-degree felony.

Two counts of sexual abuse of children were dropped.

Mercer County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Wherry sentenced Bennett Tuesday to 9 to 24 months in prison. Bennett's name will not be put on a registry of sexual offenders as part of the sentence, according to an assistant district attorney.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case:

In March 2000, Bennett --using the handle "CUDA 65" -- and an undercover state trooper trained in investigating Internet crimes engaged in a text conversation in a chat room dedicated to sex with children.

During the chat, Bennett transmitted files depicting children younger than 18 nude or engaged in sexual acts.

Bennett's registered Internet handle led state police right to his door. Police obtained a warrant to search his residence and computer.