newjerseynewsroom.com

A Superior Court judge sentenced a Westville man to five years in state prison for on-line distribution of child pornography, but received his thanks for allowing him to receive medical treatment first.

Charles Wahl, 42, pleaded guilty to the second-degree charge in October. But Judge M. Christine Allen-Jackson postponed sentencing several times while he dealt with "severe issues in my health," including heart ailments and vascular problems in his legs.

Wahl, listed by authorities at 5-foot-10 and 425 pounds, walks with a cane and was allowed to remain seated during the hearing. In the moths since his plea, he has been receiving medical treatment for the painful leg problem, and obtained equipment to alleviate sleep apnea, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

He compiled a list of medications, and received further medical evaluations to allow the county jail and the state Department of Corrections to make arrangements to house him.

Wahl's attorney, Frank Trosky, told the judge on Aug. 6 that Wahl has a sleep apnea machine "to make sure his health is taken care of."

The judge noted the extensive arrangements and Wahl's lack of a criminal record until this case. But she said the risk that he would commit another offense and the need to deter such crimes outweighed the excessive hardship of imprisonment.

Wahl must serve one year and five days before being eligible for parole.

— NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM