Brian Jay Nellis - 51 years without parole for aiding pedophile

A convicted sex offender accused of helping a man pose as a 12-year-old boy and enroll in Arizona schools has been sentenced to 51 years in prison.

Yavapai County Judge Robert Brutinel handed down the sentence Monday to 37-year-old Brian Jay Nellis of Chino Valley.

Nellis was sentenced to three consecutive 17-year sentences with no chance of parole stemming from three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Nellis declined to speak when Brutinel asked him if he had anything to say.

Nellis was accused of helping 29-year-old Neil Havens Rodreick pose as a 12-year-old and trick four Arizona middle schools into allowing him to attend school as a student.

Nellis posed as Rodreick's cousin; they lived with two older men posing as Rodreick's uncle and grandfather.