A Peoria man was sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison Wednesday after he attempted to entice an 11-year-old girl for sex over the internet.

Joshua Michael Williams, 43, pled guilty in October 2024 to attempted enticement of a minor after he engaged in a series of online chats with a person claiming to be the stepfather of the child in order to arrange sexual activities between the pair. U.S. Central District Judge Jonathan Hawley handed down the sentence Wednesday, which includes 10 years of supervised released and a requirement for Williams to register as a sex offender.

The initial complaint in the case said that on Jan. 22, 2024, an employee of the FBI engaged in conversation with Williams, posing as the stepfather of a female child in order to identify those seeking to sexually exploit minors on the internet. Over the course of the next few days, Williams and the employee would converse about various sexual fantasies involving children, with Williams proposing a meeting between him and the girl on Feb. 2 in order to engage in sex acts with her.

At 11 a.m. that morning, FBI agents set up operations at the Shell gas station in the 9000 block of North Galena Road along Illinois Route 29. A man dressed in a black fedora arrived at the scene 17 minutes later, identifying himself as Williams. The agents apprehended him, finding a pair of necklaces that he had tried to send to the employee.

During an interview after his arrest, Williams confirmed his role in sending the messages to the stepfather, claiming that he was merely looking for a friend and not actually planning to have sex with the supposed girl.

Williams was indicted on Feb. 22 on attempted enticement charges, pleading not guilty on March 4. A trial had been set for Nov. 4; however, he pled guilty on Oct. 17 in order to avoid it.

Hawley said at sentencing that Williams was fortunate that there wasn't an actual child on the other side of the conversation, noting that he could have altered her life had he gone through with the planned sex acts.

Williams had been facing life in prison on the charges. The FBI's field office in Springfield led the investigation.