YOUNGSTOWN — Andrew Wirth, 31, of Clinton Street in Ravenna, was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday for trying to have sex last November with what he thought was a 12-year-old girl.

Wirth pleaded guilty before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum to felony offenses of attempted sexual battery, importuning, compelling prostitution and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

Judge Krichbaum approved the sentence, which matched what Wirth and prosecutors agreed to during plea negotiations.

Major Jeff Allen of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s office said a woman in Columbiana County told authorities Wirth contacted her, offering her money to set him up with a child to have sex.

The sheriff’s office had an undercover agent posing as the woman contact Wirth through social media and set up a meeting with what Wirth thought would be a 12-year-old.

Allen said when Wirth showed up for the meeting, he was arrested.

Deputies say Wirth had booked a hotel room and was carrying $230. Allen said $130 was meant for the woman and $100 for the juvenile.

About two weeks prior to that offense, Wirth pleaded guily to importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

In that case, Wirth was one of 14 men indicted in a sting operation in May carried out by the county sheriff’s office, Ohio Attorney General’s Office and others.

The sting, dubbed “Operation Pedo-Cure III,” involved suspects trying to solicit minor boys and girls for sexual activity, but they were actually talking to undercover investigators.

Wirth is still awaiting sentencing by Judge Maureen Sweeney in that case.

erunyan@tribtoday.com