A Holland man convicted of sexually exploiting a child has been sentenced, officials said Wednesday.

Darian Howard, 25, was given 25 years in prison on Monday by a U.S. District Judge, according to U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey.

"My office takes very seriously its obligation to protect vulnerable victims, and children this young are among the most vulnerable," VerHey said in a statement. "Child exploitation is one of the most troubling crimes we prosecute, and we work diligently to secure justice and appropriate sentences for predators."

Howard's attorney, federal public defender Sean Tilton, was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.

However, in a sentencing memo submitted to the court, the attorney said his client has accepted responsib

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