CHICAGO (AP) – A former central Illinois firefighter has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.

Justin Weaver, a former firefighter in Rochester, admitted during his January plea hearing that he molested a 7-year-old relative and produced child pornography of the molestation.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that Weaver wept at his sentencing hearing Friday and apologized to his young male victims. He was accused of abusing more than one child.

He faced charges of production and possession of child porn and one count of destruction of evidence.

As part of his sentence, the 27-year-old Weaver will have lifetime supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

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