Michael Edward Shipley, 32, pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon at a Milton courthouse to possession of child pornography. Charges of accessing child pornography and making available child pornography will be dropped, his lawyer told the Champion.

In an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Andrew Goodman told the court the computer files were discovered by an undercover Toronto police officer from the Internet and child exploitation unit.

The IP address was traced to Shipley and Halton Regional Police then took over the investigation.

The day Shipley was arrested, February 11, police raided his Collis Court home -- which he shared with his wife -- and seized his hard drive.

Justice Richard LeDressay heard that Shipley's computer contained 815 still photos of child pornography and 971 extremely graphic video files.

Shipley was one of 22 people arrested across Ontario in what was called the largest co-ordinated child pornography crackdown in the province's history.

Shipley, a hefty man with a full, unkempt beard, sat hunched over in the prisoners' box as the facts were read. He was handcuffed in front.

His lawyer, Ken Lackner, will be sending Shipley -- who has no prior criminal record -- for a one-day assessment at Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, court heard.

Although Goodman didn't say what sentence he'd be seeking, he told the court he'd be asking for jail time over and above the approximately three months Shipley has already spent in custody since his arrest.

The case will go to Tuesday, June 17 for sentencing in Oakville.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com.