(03/06/17) - Before learning his fate, former Saginaw Police Detective Brent Vanderhaar addressed the court.

"I have apologized to my families, I have asked for their forgiveness, but I don't ever think I will forgive myself for what I have done," he said.

Vanderhaar plead guilty to possessing and taking tens of thousands of child pornographic pictures - some included members of his own family. It all came to light nearly two years ago when employees of a gas station in northern Bay County found three digital memory cards that contained the photos.

During Monday's sentencing, Judge Joseph Farrah did not mince words. Farrah called it a classic fall from grace.

"He collapsed on the integrity scale. He went from the top to the bottom in an unceremonious crashing, from the lofty perch of being a police officer to that of a miscreant," he said.

The mother of two of the victims addressed the defendant, asking a very poignant question.

"You seem to think that because you apologized and promised to never do it again that all should be forgotten and life resume as you knew it," she said. "Would you have the same thoughts if someone would have done this to your children?"

Vanderhaar was sentenced to one year in jail, with 365 days time served and five years probation. He cannot have any contact with a female child under the age of 18 and cannot posses any camera or recording devices, including a cell phone.

In handing down his sentence, Farrah had this to say, "You did it because you like it. And if you don't get yourself figured out as to why you like it, then society will suffer and so will you."