DENVER -- A man accused of checking out hundreds of books and DVDs from libraries around the Denver area and then trying to sell them has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Denver prosecutors say 34-year-old Thomas Pilaar also was ordered Tuesday to pay $53,549 in restitution.

Of an estimated 1,400 books and DVDs that were taken, about 500 have been recovered.

The investigation covered several different jurisdictions and was conducted jointly with the libraries security unit.

The Denver Public Library's Web site says the library allows each holder of a library card to check out 300 books at a time.