Anthony Weiner sentenced to 21 months for sexting teen

New York : Former United States Democratic congressman Anthony Weiner">Anthony Weiner has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for sexting with a school girl.

In addition to the prison term, Weiner has also been sentenced to three years of supervised release where he will be subjected to online supervision.

Weiner, who was aware of the fact that the girl was 15-year-old, had asked teen to "engage in sexually explicit conduct via Skype and Snapchat, where her body was on display, and where she was asked to sexually perform for him," reported CNN quoting prosecutors.

Judge Denise Cote told court, " This is a serious crime that deserves serious punishment and there is an opportunity to make a statement that can protect other minors".

Weiner this year, in May, pleaded guilty to one count of the transfer of obscene materials to a minor.

In his guilty plea, he, despite knowing that these acts were wrong, his illness compelled him to do so.

"I knew this was as morally wrong, as it was unlawful," Weiner said in his guilty plea in court.

Weiner, the estranged husband of Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton's former adviser, broke down when the sentence was handed down.

Weiner had resigned from Congress in 2011, after a lewd photo of him emerged online.