Wichita ? A 26-year-old Wichita man will spend nearly 27 years in prison in a federal “sexting” prosecution.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot on Monday sentenced Shane McClelland as a repeat sex offender. The judge said a long sentence was necessary to deter him from further crimes and protect the public.

McClelland was convicted earlier of enticing a 14-year-old girl from upstate New York to send nude photos to his cellphone. He was acquitted of a similar count involving another teen.

McClelland’s lawyer argued 20 percent of teens are “sexting” and said the sentence amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. He said the 14-year-old was old enough to know better.

Belot said McClelland sought out young girls despite having served time on a 2004 conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.