SHERMAN OAKS—On May 6, a man pleaded guilty to attempting to convince an 8-year-old girl into participating in sexual activities with him.

The girl was contrived by federal officials during their attempt to catch the man in the act of trying to lure the make-believe victim into engaging in lewd acts with him, according to reports.

The would-be perpetrator, 49-year-old North Hollywood resident Eric Joseph Schwartz, had reportedly met a woman from Oklahoma City in February through an online social networking site. The site reportedly caters to individuals seeking erratic sexual encounters.

The woman, working in cahoots with the F.B.I., told Schwartz that she had an 8-year-old daughter. Schwartz then reportedly flew to the Oklahoma City area during the end of March to participate in sexual acts with the fictitious child, and Schwartz was taken into custody shortly afterward.

Schwartz, who formerly taught high school English in Sherman Oaks, may receive a sentencing of 10 years in prison if convicted.