ABINGDON, Va. — A federal judge split the difference when sentencing a southwestern Virginia man for possessing child porn.

Shannon Michael Robert Gatlin, 21, pleaded guilty back in January, after he was found with sexual images of children on his phone.

In separate filings, prosecutors asked the judge for a prison term within the sentencing guidelines of 51 to 63 months, while Gatlin’s attorney argued that he should receive no jail time and instead be sent to a halfway house. The judge opted to go with neither request, instead sentencing Gatlin below the guidelines to 30 months in prison.

He will also be required to receive sex offender treatment while he is incarcerated and register as a sex offender after his release from prison.