Manville man possessed numerous digital files containing child pornography, the prosecution said.
SOMERVILLE - A Manville man was sentenced to five years in state prison Friday for possession of child pornography.
Igor Starobinsky (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)Igor Starobinsky, 56, pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of child pornography. Charges of possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia were dismissed.
Starobinsky, who has an accounting business in the borough, was described as a model citizen in nearly a dozen letters written to Judge Robert A. Ballard.
"I made a big mistake," said Starobinsky, whose wife was in the courtroom. "I want to get a second chance to make things right and continue my good work."
Under terms of his plea agreement, Starobinsky must serve at least one year in prison before being eligible for parole.
Starobinsky's lawyer Christian Fleming argued for a reduced sentence, saying his client underwent counseling and didn't mean to harm his victims.
On Feb. 4, 2015, authorities searched Starobinsky's home and discovered "numerous digital files" containing child pornography of victims under the age of 16 as well as marijuana and drug paraphernalia, authorities said.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.