ASHLAND, Ky. (WMDJ) — A Pike County man has pleaded guilty in a federal child exploitation case involving thousands of illegal images.

Michael Wayne Hilliary, 58, of McCarr, entered a guilty plea Monday to possession of child pornography.

According to federal officials, investigators executed a search warrant at Hilliary’s home on May 15, where they initially found multiple images and videos on a computer. A later forensic review identified more than 10,000 files involving minors, along with tens of thousands of additional files flagged during the investigation.

Authorities said some of the material involved children under the age of 12.

Hilliary is scheduled to be sentenced July 31 and faces up to 20 years in prison.