Ala. Couple Sentenced in Child Porn, Exploitation

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a northwest Alabama couple has been sentenced to hundreds of years in prison for sexually abusing and exploiting a child.

Authorities say 34-year-old Patricia Ayers was sentenced Wednesday to 1,590 years in prison. Her 42-year-old husband Matthew Ayers was sentenced to 750 years.

The couple pleaded guilty in June to charges linked to 53 child porn images produced between 2010 and 2013. Prosecutors have said the images included photos of adults engaged in sex acts with the girl between the time she was six and nine years old.

U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler said in a statement that this case was the worst one he’s been involved with in more than 15 years on the bench. Coogler said only maximum sentences was appropriate.