NEW ORLEANS (BNO NEWS) — A man of Belle Chase, Louisiana on Tuesday pled guilty to possessing more than 1,600 images of child pornography, prosecutors said.

Nicholas Broekman, 29, admitted he knowingly used his computer to search for, download, and save images of child pornography. He was arrested after federal agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security searched his home on June 25, 2009.

Agents seized computer equipment and approximately 150 images of child pornography that were found hidden under his bed. Broekman admitted to subscribing to child pornography websites since 2000, and a computer forensic search of his computer revealed he was in possession of approximately 1,500 images depicting the sexual victimization of children.

The case was investigated by special agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Klebba, who is also the Project Safe Childhood Coordinator.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat what authorities describe as a growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.

Broekman faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of twenty years. In addition, Broekman will be placed on supervised release for a period of not less than five years and up to life. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 11.