"Local photographer to serve 20 years for possession of child pornography"

A local photographer was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison for 179 counts of possession of child pornography.

Houston County Judge Butch Binford sentenced Todd Wayne Fye, 46, of Dothan, to two separate 10-year sentences. Possession of child pornography is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison per charge.

Fye actually pleaded guilty to all 179 counts. He will serve one 10-year sentence for half of the counts, followed by another 10-year sentence for the rest of the counts.

Fye will be responsible for fines and court costs. Binford denied any split sentence to include probation or community corrections.

During a sentencing hearing Wednsday morning Assistant District Attorney Seth Brooks informed Binford the pornography material was found on a hard drive of a computer.

“With this material being found on the hard drive, means this material was transferred to the hard drive. The state asks for the maximum sentence," Brooks said.

Defense Attorney Shaun McGhee stated his client did take responsibility for the pornography materials.

“My client takes full responsibility for this material being in his possession,” McGhee said. “My client has no prior felony charges. Whatever the sentence you order, we ask that the sentences run concurrent. I have also informed my client he will not be eligible for work release due to these crimes. He has also been made aware that he must register as a sex offender.”

Fye pleaded guilty to 179 charges of possession of child pornography last month. He was originally charged with 186 counts of possession of child pornography in January by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Fye owns Fyetastic Studios, a local photography business.