PLAINVILLE, Conn. -- Plainville police said a 22-year-old man who is a teacher in East Hartford has been charged with trying to arrange sex with a 13-year-old girl over the Internet.

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Teacher Busted In Sex Sting

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Police said Michael Ferguson arranged a meeting with a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl in an Internet chat room, but it was actually a police officer.

East Hartford school officials said Ferguson is a relatively new teacher in the district, but had passed all screening requirements, including a fingerprint check.

Police said Officer David Posadas, an Internet crimes specialist in Plainville, was approached in an America Online chat room by Ferguson. Police said after Posadas identified himself as a 13-year-old girl, Ferguson initiated several sexually explicit exchanges.

Ferguson has been released and is due back in court March 10.

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