LAS VEGAS (AP) - A former fifth grade teacher in Pahrump, Nev. has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for receiving child pornography over the Web.

Michael Gogerty, 41, pleaded guilty to the charges in February.

Until his arrest last year, Gogerty was employed at Hafen Elementary School in the Nye County School District.

Authorities say they opened the investigation into Gogerty after getting a tip from Toronto police. A search of his Las Vegas home turned up more than 60,000 images containing child pornography, authorities said.

Gogertys arrest a U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement initiative that targets and deports sex offenders.

The initiative has resulted in more than 10,000 arrests nationwide, including more than 80 in Nevada.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)