A judge sentenced former Army Col. Robert Rice to 12 years in prison Wednesday for receiving and distributing child pornography, prompting sobbing and apologies from Rice.
The 59-year-old former head of strategic war gaming for the Army said he was deeply ashamed of his actions, The Associated Press reports.
“When this began I didn’t see the human beings,” Rice said. “I came to realize that this is not a victimless crime. That each time an image is passed it renews the … emotional damage.”
He said he accepted responsibility for distributing the “very disgusting photos and images that should have not existed in the first place.”
Rice is already serving time in military prison.
Peter Goldberger, Rice’s defense lawyer, tried to push for a jail term of just five years, emphasizing that his possession and distribution of child porn was an “isolated case.”
“Here is someone who has 37-year career in the military,” Goldberger argued. “He was recognized by the Army as a leader and a teacher.”
Prosecutor James T. Clancy, however, doubted Rice’s sincerity, arguing he only came clean after he couldn’t pin the blame on his wife or persuade the jury.
Goldberger’s argument failed to fully persuade, though Rice did not receive a full 20-year sentence.
Rice was first arrested in 2013, after his wife discovered child pornography on his computer. She discovered the pornography by installing a monitoring system.
“She had the moral courage to do what was right, and I did not,” Rice said.
Given concern that Rice may re-offend once released from prison, the judge ordered that Rice be subject to computer monitoring for 10 years while on probation.
Rice also must register as a sex offender and pay a fine of $5,100.
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