A 35-year-old Lancaster city man convicted in 2005 of having one of the largest child pornography collections in county history will remain in prison for at least another three months, a judge ruled Friday.

Andrew "Andy" Paul Spedden was sentenced Friday to serve more of his 2-year sentence, but he can apply for parole in July. He served about five months of that sentence in 2005 before he was paroled.

However, he was arrested in August for violating parole and has served another four months of jail time since January.

Judge James P. Cullen admonished Spedden Friday during the 30-minute hearing.

"You represent a very high risk of re-offending," Cullen said. "You continue to place yourself in situations that give you the opportunity for criminal conduct."

Lancaster city police charged Spedden in July 2003 with 74 counts of possessing child pornography after discovering about 1,000 explicit photographs on his home computer. He pleaded guilty in June 2005.

As a condition of parole, Spedden was required to undergo sex-offender counseling and register his address with state police for 10 years.

While in therapy at T.W. Ponessa & Associates, Spedden admitted having sex with at least 10 children between the ages of 2 and 15 while on parole, although the crimes went unreported to police.

He also told a counselor he approached children for sex at Lancaster County Library and that he viewed pornography on library computers.

Spedden initially denied having improper contact with minors, but a therapist administered a polygraph test that indicated Spedden lied during counseling about refraining from viewing pornography, participating in online sex chats and stalking children for sex.

The therapist also learned Spedden used a computer at First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster to view pornography and solicit sex using Internet chat rooms.

Because Spedden lied to his therapists, he was expelled from counseling in August, which constituted a violation of his parole.

Gerald Menaquale, a T.W. Ponessa program director, testified Friday that Spedden could again enroll in sex-offender treatment upon release from prison.

"We feel he is a risk to the community and would require the highest, most intense level of treatment we could provide," Menaquale said. "There is a long history of nonamenable high-risk behavior which would be appropriate for containment.

"Should he be released, we would take him back."

Spedden told Cullen he is sorry for lying to therapists, viewing pornography, participating in sex chats and stalking children.

"I apologize to my family and friends for the shame and embarrassment I've caused," Spedden said. "I need to be scrupulously honest to overcome my obsessive and compulsive feelings."

The Rev. Randolph Riggs of First Presbyterian Church and several parishioners submitted letters to Cullen in support of Spedden.

Riggs said he was working on a sermon for Sunday titled "Welcoming the Wounded," which will address issues of sexual abuse and creating safe environments where those affected by abuse can seek healing.

The church also operates Open Arms Christian Child Care Center.

Director of the child care center Rachel Reich sent a letter April 16 to parents informing them Spedden might be released from prison and return to the church. The letter also referenced a church policy for monitoring church members with a criminal history.

Cullen ordered Spedden to complete 5 years of probation after being released from prison. He prohibited Spedden from using the Internet or going to libraries and businesses that offer Internet access.

Spedden also will be required to have a court-approved chaperon with him whenever interacting with children, Cullen said.

"This is your last opportunity," Cullen said.

E-mail: blovelace@lnpnews.com