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Bruce Rhodes, 28, of Sparta, was sentenced Tuesday by Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb to 10 years in prison for possession of child pornography. Judge Crabb also imposed a supervised release term of life. The judge imposed the federal sentence consecutive to Rhodes’ current state prison sentence.

On Oct. 9, Rhodes pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. At the sentencing, Judge Crabb found that Rhodes possessed over 100 images of child pornography, including images that contained the following: (1) a prepubescent minor who had not yet attained the age of 12; (2) an image that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct; and (3) images that involved the use of a computer.

Judge Crabb found that Rhodes’ federal sentence should be increased based upon a prior state felony conviction in 2000 for having sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old female. In sentencing Rhodes, Judge Crabb noted that while he had a history of abuse as a child, it did not excuse his conduct as an adult in victimizing other children. Judge Crabb also found that Rhodes was a dangerous person because his experience in the penal system did not deter him from further criminal activity.

The charges against Rhodes were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, and Marshfield Police Department. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Altman.