A Squirrel Hill man who said his efforts to solicit sex with an underage boy on craigslist.org were fueled by alcohol was sentenced to 10 years in prison yesterday in federal court.

Brian Lee Nestor, 44, who was convicted of coercion and enticement of a minor, told Chief U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose that had he known the ramifications of his behavior to both himself and his family, he'd never have done it.

"I've lost everything that a man can lose, and I've never been sorrier about anything in my life," he said, asserting that his recent time being held in the Beaver County Jail has renewed his faith in God.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, Mr. Nestor posted an ad on the popular Web site, craigslist.org, in the "casual encounters," section.

It read: "Anybody into family fun?" followed by, "bring your son and hang out with us."

A Greensburg police officer working computer crimes undercover responded to the posting, and said, "Family fun sounds great, reply with age, limits, a photo would be great."

The two e-mailed back and forth for several days, with Mr. Nestor also soliciting child pornography. He soon became frustrated and wrote: "Look I'm tired of these endless e-mails. ... I'm just looking to get with a boy discreetly."

He was arrested in September and charged with both coercion and possession of child pornography.

During the sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Ambrose told Mr. Nestor that she recognized how difficult the 10-year mandatory minimum sentence would be.

"I don't doubt anything you have just said," she said. "I'm hoping you will keep the faith you have described to me throughout your period of incarceration."

She called his behavior "dangerous to the public."

In addition to the prison term, Mr. Nestor must register as a sex offender and serve 10 years' supervised release.