Attorney admits child-porn charge

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A former state utility regulator faces at least five years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to a federal child pornography charge.

As part of a plea agreement Wayne Shirley, 58, of Cedar Crest pleaded guilty to a single count of receipt of child pornography, according to a statement from the office of U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales. Chief U.S. Magistrate Richard Puglisi accepted the plea and ordered Shirley into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

He faces a prison sentence of five to 25 years and a fine up to $250,000. He will be required to register as a sex offender after his release and will be subject to supervision possibly for the rest of his life.

Shirley, an attorney, served as chairman of the New Mexico Public Utilities Commission during the administration of Gov. Gary Johnson. The PUC's duties later became part of the current Public Regulation Commission.

Shirley originally was charged with six counts as part of a federal Operation Predator sweep in September that executed 22 search warrants in New Mexico and arrested Shirley and seven others alleged to be involved in child pornography.

The search of Shirley's home and computers was based on an undercover investigation by the New Mexico State Police.