JIM THORPE -- The former mayor of Coaldale was sentenced Tuesday to up to three years in prison for having child pornography.
He was found guilty in June of having the porn on his work computer in Carbon County.
We asked Richard Corkery if he is scared heading off to prison after being convicted of looking at child porn. He told us he's certainly not looking forward to it.
A judge in Carbon County sentenced the former Coaldale mayor to nine months to three years in state prison. He has to turn himself in next month.
"No comment," said Corkery. "I'm sorry, I'd like to help you folks out but…"
But Richard Corkery quickly reconsidered his decision not to talk with us as he left Carbon County court after sentencing.
He just learned he'll spend nine months to three years in prison, yet he says he didn't do anything wrong a few years ago as he worked at WLSH radio station in Nesquehoning.
In June, he was convicted of looking at child pornography on a station computer.
Corkery was mayor of Coaldale in Schuylkill County at the time of his arrest.
"I'm sorry that I was convicted of a crime that I did not commit," said Corkery. "I never did anything. I guarantee you I did nothing."
At trial, Corkery admitted he searched for boy porn sites at WLSH, but said he didn't want to see boys under 18. He says that was an accident.
Now he's going to prison for doing it.
"If that's what God has planned for me, I'll go. I have no choice in the matter, so I will cooperate fully."
While Corkery continues to insist in court he's innocent, prosecutors say they're glad he's going to prison. They say what he was looking at was disgusting.
"Those photographs are despicable. That's the only word I can use to describe them, and they are very upsetting and that's why we prosecute these cases," said Carbon County Assistant District Attorney William McDonald.
Prosecutors say the sentence of nine months to three years is a good one for the crime and Corkery now heads to prison with a child porn conviction.
"Are you scared about going to prison?"
"Well, it's not something I'm looking forward to, that's for sure," replied Corkery.
The judge said Richard Corkery must turn himself in to go to state prison on October 10.
He must also register as a Megan's Law sex offender for the rest of his life.
Corkery never resigned as mayor of Coaldale. His term ended at the start of the year.