CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — 20-year-old Benjamin Tucker was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of bestiality and seven counts of possession of child pornography in Albemarle Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Tucker was arrested in May, with police discovering a number of graphic images and photos on his devices, including footage of himself attempting to sexually assault a pet rabbit. In his sentencing hearing, both the defense and prosecution focused on Tucker’s version of events, in which he said he was not attracted to animals or children and that he had been sent most of the images and videos from older men he was chatting with online who coerced into committing the sexual acts against animals.

Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Lawton Tufts said messages were found confirming Tucker’s version of events, including that he had been coerced into assaulting the rabbit. Other pointed to Tucker viewing himself as taking on the role of the child in many of his interactions with older men, with Tufts reading one in which Tucker wrote, “I wanna be your 11-year-old little bro.”

That in combination with Tucker committing his first offenses when he was 16 years old and therefore a minor made it “extremely difficult” for Tufts to determine the State’s recommendation heading into the sentencing hearing. But he ultimately recommended the six years, seven months of incarceration Judge Cheryl Higgins would make official, with Tufts citing the need for deterrence against these crimes and the fact Tucker’s brain will have fully developed by the time he is released.

In its final arguments, Tucker’s defense attorney Anthony Martin hoped to show that Tucker could be released earlier without fear of a repeat offense. Martin called up Tucker’s father, Brent, and the older Tucker’s girlfriend of 10 years, Kimberly McCauley. Both described Benjamin as helpful and always looking to make people happy. They said he had never had any issues with McCauley’s three young grandchildren or numerous pets, saying the kids in particular loved him.

“He’s just good with them,” McCauley said.

The two also tried to showcase how they were prepared to take care of Benjamin when he was released, with McCauley sharing how her Wi-Fi and devices were password-protected, and Brent promising to do what it took to get Benjamin treatment.

“Please let him come home,” he said.

Martin also submitted multiple character letters, including one from his mother, who was unable to attend the hearing due to chronic illness, and his therapist. He also reiterated that Tucker’s mental evaluation had diagnosed him with major depressive disorder and described how he had to be pulled from his high school due to issues with his friends at the time, adding to his mental struggles. The evaluation also classified his risk of a repeat offense as low to moderate.

But in her sentencing, Higgins highlighted that while Tucker had started his crimes as a child, he did not stop as an adult, and while there was no evidence he was not involved in the production of the child pornography in his possession, Tucker was complicit as children were still abused in order for the material to be created.

Higgins also acknowledged the circumstances of Tucker’s childhood — he first started viewing pornography at the age of 12 and his family first seeked counseling for him in 2018. But Higgins argued Tucker hadn’t utilized his counseling properly, as he had never discussed his pornography addiction with his counselor.

In addition to suspending Tucker’s jailtime past six years, seven months, Higgin also mandated that upon his release, Tucker will have no access to technology without approval from a probation officer, can no longer own or be put in control of any animal, will register as a sex offender and have no unsupervised contact with kids expect for McCauley’s grandchildren.