Police: Sex offender arrested for trying to meet fictitious 15-year-old girl for sex

AUBURN -- A 22-year-old registered sex offender has been arrested for going to Bellingham to meet for sex with what he believed was a 15-year-old girl, Auburn police said Wednesday.

The defendant began a cell phone text conversation two weeks ago with detectives who were posing as a 15-year-old girl, a police statement said.

His "texts became more and more sexually suggestive and graphic, eventually asking to meet her for sexual purposes," the statement said.

The defendant had his first appearance in King County court Wednesday and probable cause was found for communicating with a minor for immoral purposes. Bail was set at $200,000.

Police said the man has prior convictions for second-degree assault with sexual motivation and third-degree rape.