A mother posed as her daughter on the Internet and helped police nab a man who was trying to solicit the 14-year-old for sex, authorities said.
Richard H. Johanson, 36, of Short Hills, N.J., was being held Saturday in the Hancock County jail. He has been charged with attempted third-degree sexual abuse and enticing away a minor.
He was arrested Thursday night after police received a tip from the mother, authorities said.
The teen did not log out of a chat room before she went to bed, and the mother, using the girl’s screen name, discovered that Johanson was pressing the 14-year-old for a meeting, police said.
The Hancock County sheriff’s office set up a meeting in a public place Thursday night. Johanson tried to get the girl to leave with him, but she refused. He was arrested as he tried to flee the scene, police said.
If convicted on the state charges, Johanson could face up to 12 years in prison.