Michael A. Carter, 25, of 9 New St., Apt. A, Nashua

NASHUA – Michael A. Carter, a former member of the U.S. military who, according to his attorney, battles mental health issues including PTSD, was sentenced Monday to nearly 10 years in State Prison as part of a plea agreement involving numerous charges of possession of child sexual abuse images.

Carter, 25, last known address of 9 New St., entered guilty pleas to more than a dozen counts of the felony charge in exchange for a total of 15 State Prison sentences, broken down as follows:

Six terms of 7 1/2-15 years each, to be served concurrently, meaning all at the same time;

Four terms of 2 1/2-15 years each, to be served concurrently with each other but consecutively with the 7 1/2-15 year terms, meaning Carter will begin serving the 2 1/2-15 year term upon his release on the 7 1/2-15 year term;

Five terms of 5-10 years each, all suspended for five years, or upon his release on the stand-committed terms.

Other terms of the sentencing order include Carter being credited with 139 days of time already served, and that he have no contact with anyone under the age of 18.

The order also recommends Carter undergo a sex-offender assessment in prison, and follow any treatment guidelines for treatment programs.

Provided Carter remains on good behavior and doesn’t violate any of the provisions of the plea agreement and sentencing orders, he will serve a minimum of roughly 9 years and 8 months in prison – 7 1/2 years from the first sentence, minus the 139 days of credit for time served, plus the 2 1/2 years on the second sentence.

It was back in December that Nashua police arrested Carter, taking him into custody at his residence the afternoon of Dec. 11 on a warrant they had issued following an investigation that began in November.

Police at the time said officers worked in concert with members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force on the investigation, and that they developed information indicating that Carter may be in possession of child pornography, which is also referred to as child sexual abuse images.

In a post-arrest interview, police said Carter

admitted to downloading and distributing such images, and allegedly told police why: “To attract the attention of police, due to a relationship he is in, which he believes is becoming unsafe.”

It was noted at Carter’s bail hearing the day after his arrest that he has one prior conviction on his record: For possessing child pornography while he was in the military.

Tried and convicted, Carter was given a 12-month sentence in military jail, but released on good behavior after serving 8 months, according to Attorney Freda Spencer, who represented Carter at the bail hearing.

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