Dr. Todd Parrilla, a Connecticut pediatrician, has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography.

A Connecticut pediatrician has admitted to possessing more than 100,000 child porn images and videos.

Todd Parrilla, 48, pleaded guilty in Hartford Federal Court Monday.

Federal authorities began an investigation into Parrilla in July 2011, after a law enforcement officer in Kansas City, Mo., downloaded 104 images of child pornography from a directory on an internet file-sharing program maintained by Parrilla, according to prosecutors.

"This is a heinous crime," said David Fein, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. "That it was committed by a pediatrician, whose profession is committed to the well-being of children, makes it especially disturbing."

For more information go to NBCConnecticut.com

Parrilla was arrested in August 2011. FBI agents seized two computers and three detachable hard drives from Parrilla's home. Analysis of the computers and hard drives revealed more than 100,000 pictures and more than 10,000 videos depicting child pornography, according to prosecutors.

Parrilla was working as a pediatrician at the time of his arrest.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 24.

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

• NBC exclusive: Matt Sandusky details sex abuse by his father
• Report: Missing oil tycoon's wife had sought divorce
• Video: As burglars break in, calm teen dials 911
• Supreme Court ruling leaves Arizona illegal immigrants on edge
• Teen lesbian couple shot in Texas park

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook