A federal judge sentenced a 74-year-old Kailua man to four years and four months in prison Thursday for possessing hundreds of videos and images of child pornography on his computer.
U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson also ordered Michael Look, a computer science engineer, to pay a $15,000 fine and register as a sex offender.
Look pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in April 2013.
Watson said Look was found in possession of more than 1,000 videos and more than 600 images of child pornography.
Look, whose wife attended his sentencing, apologized in court and said, "I never meant to hurt anybody in my life."
Defense attorney Michael Green said it did not matter if Look viewed the images or intended to do so — as long as he had them, "he’s done."
Watson told Look, "Mere possession is not a victimless crime," adding, "Demand creates the supply, and that’s where victims come into play."
The judge said Look was a subscriber to several websites from 2003 to 2007 and downloaded images from at least 50 websites.
Before sentencing Look, Watson said he considered Look’s clear criminal history, his volunteer work with youth soccer and his history assisting the military as a civilian.
Watson also said he considered a letter from Look’s daughter that asked that one transgression not outweigh a life of good.
Prosecutors asked Watson to sentence Look to 78 months in prison, impose a $12,500 fine and require him to pay $160,000 in restitution to the victims.
Look requested to be imprisoned at Terminal Island in California, closer to his two sons. He will turn himself in Aug. 7.
After the hearing, Look said he was glad the judge read the letters of support and said he’s done a lot to help the community.