NEW ORLEANS - A 20-year-old man from Gray has pleaded guilty to crimes involving sexual exploitation of children.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite said in a Wednesday news release that Darion Veal faces from five to 20 years in prison. Court documents show he pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography.

Polite's statement said Veal had been indicted by a federal grand jury after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell's office.

Veal was arrested earlier this year. Sentencing was set for March 23.