A Mississippi coast man will serve no less than 18 years, possibly as many as 40, after a conviction on five counts of exploitation of a child, according to the Jackson County (Miss.) District Attorney’s Office.

Judge Kathy King Jackson sentenced Raymond Scott Tracy, 45, to 40 years in state prison, with 18 of those to be served without the possibility of parole or early release. Tracy must also register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The Mississippi Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Tracy was in possession of child pornography. That information was passed to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Working with the FBI, the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at Tracy’s home, where multiple electronic devices were found containing 5,606 unique videos and images of child pornography and child sexual abuse.

“Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime,” said Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath. “These videos and pictures portray crime scenes where real children are actually being abused. This defendant possessed 5,606 separate and unique files which depicted real children being sexually abused and exploited so that he and others could satisfy their depraved sexual desires.

“Possession of child pornography is a dangerous crime because as long as there is a demand for this material, there will be others perpetrating, recording and documenting these evil acts on children. I hope this 18 year day-for-day sentence will send a message that we will continue to seek substantial prison sentences for those that abuse our children.”