WARNING: This article contains graphic content that may be upsetting to some readers

A Catholic priest has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after he was found to possess more than 2,000 photos and videos of child pornography. Thomas Faucher, 73, will not be eligible for parole and must register as a sex offender.

After investigators discovered thousands of disturbing images and chats about raping and murdering young boys, the well-known priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise pleaded guilty to five felony crimes including two counts of distribution of sexually exploitative material, two counts of possession of sexually exploitative materials, and one count of drug possession, Daily Mail reports.

According to the Idaho Statesman, the father apologized to the courtroom and called himself "one sick puppy" before he was sentenced on Thursday.

"I am deeply sorry that I was and have been connected to that in any way," Faucher told 4th District Court Judge Jason Scott. "I was one really sick puppy. I screwed up big time. I feel so much remorse and anger."

Thomas Faucher (Ada County Sheriff's Office)

The priest urged the judge to allow him to "give lectures on the evils of child pornography" and not send him to jail, saying people could "benefit" only if he wasn't behind bars. "There are no people who will benefit if I am in jail or prison," he added. However, Judge Scott struck down his pleas and called him a "legitimate risk to the community" He added: "This is a crime that has the potential for both immediate and long-lasting consequences."

Describing the extent of disturbing content found on Faucher's devices, Detective John Brumbaugh of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force took to the stand on Thursday and said he first received a tip regarding two images that had been sent from the email address [email protected] Following the lead, Brumbaugh discovered thousands of "violent, disturbing, and torturous" photos that involved "young-looking subjects" as he began investigating Faucher.

According to the revelations, it was found that the priest frequently spoke to a person named "Bruno" and told them he wanted to have sex with six-year-old boys, including some in his own family. He also claimed he had "satanic desires" and said the "thought of killing someone does begin to excite me."

I'm at the Ada County Courthouse this morning for the sentencing of Father W. Thomas Faucher. pic.twitter.com/FEXV96paBY — Katie Terhune (@KTVBTerhune) December 20, 2018

Faucher also mentioned in his emails that he enjoyed watching a video of a boy being beaten to death and admitted to fantasies about sexually abusing altar boys and babies. What's more? In one of the images, the "holy" priest was seen peeing on a cross and a canon law book. Faucher also claimed in one of the chats that he urinated in the wine for Mass. Many chose to leave the Ada County Courtroom while others were in tears after the disturbing details of the images and conversations were revealed in court.

During his testimony, Brumbaugh said the evidence was difficult to digest for himself as well as others involved in the probe. "The volume was something I haven't come across," he told the courtroom.

Faucher was initially charged with 21 counts of felony sexual exploitation of a child, as well as one count of felony possession of LSD and possession of marijuana and ecstasy after his arrest in February. Right after his arrest, two men came forward to allege that the priest had sexually abused them. Although the statute of limitations for most child sex crimes in Idaho was lifted in 2006, the law was not retroactive, meaning those charges will mostly never be filed.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Kassandra Slaven noted that Faucher was diagnosed a pedophile and that further evaluation concluded there was a high risk of re-offense, and thus asked for a 30-year prison sentence. "It shakes the community. It shakes the members of the Catholic Church," she said. "He portrays himself as a victim and is not at all accountable for his actions." On the other hand, Defense attorney Mark Manweiler claimed Faucher "never sexually abused any child" and so he should receive probation and treatment instead of jail time.

Addressing the court, Gene Fadness, spokesman for the Diocese of Boise, said they are trying to have Faucher defrocked. "It's been agonizing every day for the parishioners at Saint Mary's and for those in the community, even outside Saint Mary's," he said. "[Faucher] was not just a priest, but a prominent priest, well known. This has been very difficult for everyone involved. Almost immediately after [Thursday], we will submit our case to Rome."

Fadness' words were reiterated in a statement released by the diocese. "The volumes of shocking information that the law enforcement investigation uncovered reveal the heinous nature of child pornography and the tragic impact upon its victims," the statement read. "While we cannot begin to fathom what brought Faucher to the point that he was able to enter into this evil and dark world, we are thankful for the efforts of the law enforcement community in doing what it can to protect our children from these crimes."