A man who sexually abused his stepdaughter and photographed it was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.

David C. Ellis, 27, of Cornelius pleaded guilty to production of child pornography. The federal sentence will run concurrently with a 20-year prison term Ellis got in Washington County for abusing his stepdaughter.

"This significant sentence sends a clear and powerful message to those who victimize children -- sexual abuse of children will not be tolerated in our society," U.S. Attorney Karin Immergut said in a statement.