A Johnson City Middle School principal faces attempted rape charges after he allegedly tried to lure a teenage girl to meet while making "overt actions to indicate he was going to engage in sexual conduct" with the girl, according to the Broome County Sheriff's Department.
Daniel Erickson, 55, of Greene, agreed to meet the girl at an unspecified "remote location" in Broome County, but was met by detectives when he arrived, the sheriff's office said.
Authorities said Monday that Erickson had bought a milkshake, chicken nuggets and a condom before the meet.
He was charged with third-degree attempted rape, a misdemeanor, and luring a child, a felony. He was remanded to the Broome County jail without bail.
Erickson posed as a younger adult on Snapchat before using district information to convince the teenager of who he really was, Sheriff Fred Akshar said in a press release.
The principal knew the girl from when she attended the middle school, officials said.
Erickson, who has served in an administrative role for more than 20 years in the Johnson City School District, has been placed on leave, Superintendent Eric Race said.
"Mr. Erickson is not allowed on district property or permitted the use of any district equipment or devices," Race said.
Officials said the meeting did not happen on school property, and he didn't have any prior incidents involving the school.
Communication between Erickson and the teen took place for at least a week before his arrest, Akshar said.
The girl alerted school district officials to the situation, and the district notified the sheriff's office, Race said.
Erickson made multiple attempts to meet with her, including at her home, but the teen did not come out to meet with him, Akshar said in the release.
Akshar said the district administration cooperated with the investigation and "provided key information."