Thomas Reedy, 37, was convicted in December of 89 counts of conspiracy, possession and distribution of illegal images of minors. Each count carries a penalty of 15 years in prison, technically making the sentence 1,335 years.

"He will die in prison," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Terri Moore.

U.S. District Judge Terry Means sentenced Mr. Reedy's wife, Janice Reedy, 32, to 14 years in prison on criminal charges related to child pornography distribution.

A federal jury rejected arguments that the couple's Internet company, Landslide Inc., was merely a verification provider and that they did not know that it linked customers with child pornography.

"This case was pretty precedent-setting. Maybe it means another kid won't get molested," said Ms. Moore. "To take this filth out of the airways and feed the hunger of pedophiles is disgusting."

Houston attorney Steve Rozan, who represented the Reedys during their sentencing hearing, could not be reached for comment.

Judge Means also fined Landslide Inc. $6.9 million.

Federal prosecutors said Landslide provided a credit card verification service that allowed access to Web sites depicting minors engaging in sexual activity in movies and in pictures.

Landslide charged each customer approximately $29.95 per month to view the sites.

Michael Heiskell, Ms. Reedy's trial attorney, said his client was essentially the company's bookkeeper and that she did not access any porn sites.

"It was our contention that she had much less culpability," said Mr. Heiskell. "She collected the money. Her husband led her down a primrose path with this business."

Attorney Wes Ball, who represented Mr. Reedy at trial, could not be reached for comment.

Federal prosecutors said the case against the couple was the largest child pornography case that the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth has seen. They said the couple ran Landslide from their northeast Fort Worth home and made almost $1.3 million in less than one year.

U.S. Attorney Richard Stephens said the Reedys provided about 5,700 Web sites. He said that 30 percent to 40 percent of the company's business linked customers to child pornography sites.

"The Reedys lived a life of luxury on the back of the poor children they exploited. Their conduct mandated the tough sentences they received," he said.

Prosecutors said the for-profit adult verification system helped three foreign Webmasters provide images of children as young as 4 years old in violent sex acts.

Prosecutors said the couple made payments to Webmasters R.W. Kosuma and Hanny Ingganata of Indonesia and Boris Greenberg of Russia. The three Webmasters were indicted along with the Reedys on charges of sexual exploitation of minors and distribution of child pornography.

Warrants have been issued for their arrests and the United States is seeking extradition, federal prosecutors said.

The investigation took more than a year and involved several federal agencies including the U.S. Customs, the FBI, the Justice Department's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section as well as the U.S. Postal Inspector.

"Today's sentence reflects the serious intention of the United States Postal Inspection Service as well as the Postal Service to stop individuals and companies from trafficking in child pornography," said Postal Inspector In Charge Al Holmes.