photo by: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Charles R. Tingler Jr., pictured in September 2019

A Lawrence man who reportedly told police he viewed child pornography not for arousal but “as a form of art” was sentenced Friday to 32 months — two years and eight months — in prison.

Charles R. Tingler Jr., 46, was initially charged Sept. 17 with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. He also faced a charge in a separate case for alleged interference with law enforcement at the time his arrest warrant was served.

Tingler pleaded no contest to one count of a lesser charge, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, on Nov. 5; prosecutor Cathy Eaton agreed to drop the second case.

Tingler’s appointed defense attorney, Joshua Seiden, told Chief Judge Peggy Kittel that he and Eaton had agreed to recommend a 32-month prison sentence. Kittel agreed Friday to follow their recommendation.

Seiden said at Friday’s hearing that his client has taken responsibility for his actions and was ready to move forward and turn things around. Before Kittel announced the sentence, Tingler told her he respected her decision.

Tingler will receive credit for 88 days served, or almost three months, meaning he has about 2 1/2 years left to serve. He is also eligible for up to 20% good time credit, so he could be released in less than two years.

When he is released from prison, Tingler will face lifetime post-release supervision due to the nature of his charges. He must register as a sex offender for 25 years.

In an interview with police on Oct. 28, 2016, Tingler reportedly told police he had used electronic devices to search for “non nude preteen” models, and that he “equated the access of the imagery to an appreciation for the imagery as a form of art or curiosity.” He denied accessing the images for sexual arousal, the police affidavit supporting his arrest says.