MT. VERNON, Ill. (WJPF) – A Mt. Vernon man has been sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for possessing of explicit images of children.

Jacob Higgins, 27, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three separate felony charges of possession of child pornography. Each charge received a sentence of five years to be served consecutively. 

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the charges against Higgins were the result of an investigation initiated by the their Detective Division, who are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.