SHELBYVILLE (WTHR) - Michael Dean Sermersheim, a man that investigators called ""most prolific disseminator of child pornography in Indiana" will likely serve only eight years in jail.
Sermersheim has agreed to a plea deal that calls for him to plead guilty to four counts of child exploitation.
He originally faced 54 counts of child exploitation and possession of child pornography.
Court documents show that Sermersheim downloaded thousands of images and videos of children and then shared them with others.
Some of the files showed victims as young as infants and toddlers being sexually assaulted.
This case led to a change in state law to put tougher penalties in place for extreme cases of child pornography and exploitation.
The Shelby County Prosecutor advocated for the bill, but says the enhanced punishment cannot be enforced in this case.
Sermersheim faced sentencing statutes that were in effect at the time he committed the crime. He could not face additional sentencing in the case since the laws were changed after he was charged.
The plea deal still needs to be accepted by a judge.
