ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A former western New York pediatrician who admitted photographing young patients and his daughter’s friends has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for possessing thousands of images of children being sexually abused and molested.

A federal judge in Rochester called 70-year-old David Blasczak a “monster” and “every parent’s and every civilized person’s worst nightmare” during sentencing Thursday.

Blasczak, who had a longtime family practice in Wayne County, admitted in August to receiving child pornography. He said he had more than 2,500 images and nearly 80 videos.

Court papers say he also admitted he took explicit photos of young patients at his office in Clyde, and acknowledged touching and photographing his daughter’s friends during sleepovers.

Blasczak surrendered his medical license after his arrest in January.