Man sentenced to seven years for receiving child pornography

A Novato man was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for receiving child pornography, Department of Justice officials said.

Patrick Harvey, 30, possessed over 500 explicit images and videos of minors, including children under the age of 12.

In July 2014, Harvey persuaded a 15-year-old girl to send him sexually explicit images of herself over Facebook. He then saved the pictures on his cellphone, Justice Department officials said.

Harvey also sent child porn to another person via text message.

On Dec. 1, 2015, a federal grand jury indicted Harvey, charging him with possession, receipt and distribution of child pornography, Justice Department officials said. He pleaded guilty to only the receipt charge on Sept. 14.

Harvey will serve a 10-year period of supervised release following his prison term, including terms that prohibit him from using computers and the internet and frequenting locations where children may be present, and require him to submit to searches upon request of law enforcement.

Harvey will begin serving his sentence immediately.