A fake Facebook Messenger account operated by local police officers resulted in charges against a Warren man.

Nathan D. Lang, 24, of Warren charged Thursday with criminal attempt – unlawful contact with a minor – sexual offenses, second-degree felony criminal attempt – discussing explicit sex material with a minor, third-degree felony unlawful contact with a minor – open lewdness, and third-degree felony criminal use of a communication facility.

Bail was set at $100,000 by Magisterial District Judge Raymond Zydonik and Lang was taken to the Warren County Prison.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by Warren city police officers, the operation began in mid-February when Lang allegedly made contact with a Facebook Messenger account operated by undercover police officers. On March 11, Lang was allegedly told the account was being operated by a 15-year-old girl but still allegedly made lewd and explicit statements about intercourse with the girl. Lang also allegedly sent lewd photos to the covert account.

“The defendant advised the covert account to keep it a secret as so he would not get in trouble,” the affidavit states.

Contact between Lang and the covert Facebook account continued throughout the rest of March until Thursday, when Lang had agreed to meet the covert account near Water Street and East, near Morck Park.

“Officers then conducted surveillance of the targeted location,” the affidavit states. “Another officer involved conducted surveillance of the defendant’s residence and observed him leave the mentioned residence after advising that he was on his way to the target location. Officers observed the defendant parked in the area of the target location, as officer noticed the defendant, the defendant messaged the covert account stating he was ‘Here.'”

This is the latest in a string of attempted unlawful contact with a minor cases involving fake Facebook Messenger accounts by either local police departments or outside groups involving Warren. An Otego, N.Y., man pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal attempt unlawful contact with a minor, a class 2 felony in February after attempting to contact a person purported to be a 14-year-old girl from Corry, Pa., through a decoy account created by Erie Predator Catchers. A Warren man faces criminal attempt – unlawful contact with a minor – obscene and other sexual materials and performances, a class 3 felony, as well as 80 counts of discussing explicit sexual materials with a minor, a class 2 felony; 56 counts of unlawful contact with a minor – open lewdness, a class 3 felony; and criminal use of a communications facility, a class 3 felony. The man allegedly tried to meet with someone he thought was a 15-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover police officer, and then allegedly sent 79 nude photos and videos to the person. The man also allegedly made various sexual comments and had explicit conversations with the undercover police officer.