TRENTON

— Former assemblyman Neil Cohen was sentenced today to five years in prison for viewing and printing child pornography at his legislative office.

He had pleaded guilty in April to a second degree charge of child endangerment.

"By viewing and distributing child pornography, Mr. Cohen made himself a part of the network of suppliers and users whose actions serve to promote this abhorrent exploitation of children," Attorney General Paula Dow said in a statement. "Prison is the appropriate sentence for his crime."

Cohen, 59, of Paramus will be eligible to apply for the state's Intensive Supervision Program, meaning he may serve only three months in prison if the state does not oppose his application.

Cohen's lawyer, Mark Tuohey, said the program would help his client receive needed mental health treatment. Cohen has been involuntarily committed at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital and attempted suicide, Tuohey said.

"It is a tragic situation, but one that must be viewed in the context of a life well lived," Tuohey said.

Cohen, under medication for depression, did not make a statement.

Superior Court Judge Gerald Council, sitting in Mercer County, said he would not undermine the plea agreement between prosecutors and Cohen's lawyers calling for a five-year sentence.

"It's a sad day," Council said. "The fact of the matter is Mr. Cohen led a solid life of public service before this unfortunate incident."

The judge ordered Cohen to enter the prison system on Nov. 15, allowing the Department of Corrections 10 days to evaluate his mental health needs.

Cohen is required to register under Megan's Law. He will also pay about $2,000 in fines and be barred from public employment or elected office and social networking websites.

Cohen was an Assemblyman for more than 16 years. His crime was discovered when he printed photographs of underage girls using his state computer and placed them in the desk of a female receptionist in his legislative office.

He resigned when the investigation became public, and was later indicted on five counts including official misconduct, reproduction of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. If he had been convicted of all counts, he would have faced up to 33 years in prison.

Deputy Attorney General Anthony Picione said authorities found 34 pornographic images of children on computers at Cohen's law office and legislative district office in Union Township.

He emphasized in court today that Cohen's actions were not a victimless crime, saying some of the underage girls in the photographs were identified in a national database of missing and exploited children.

"These are real victims," Picione said.

Previous coverage:

• Sentencing for former N.J. Assemblyman Neil Cohen is postponed

• Former N.J. Assemblyman Neil Cohen pleads guilty in child-porn case

• Assemblyman Neil Cohen resigns amid child porn probe



