SALT LAKE CITY – A Cobb man arrested by federal officials earlier this year has pleaded guilty to trying to lure a teenage girl across state lines to have sex with him at his home.

Robert Lavern Davison, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement for illegal sexual activity in the US District Court of Utah's Central Division on Aug. 24, according to court records.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, assisted by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, arrested Davison and served search warrants on his Cobb home on Feb. 12, as Lake County News has reported.

Davison had allegedly met a 13-year-old Utah girl online in 2008 while playing an Internet game, “World of Warcraft.” That is alleged to have led to instant messaging in which Davison urged the girl to meet him in California.

The case came to the attention of the Centerville, Utah, police last November when the girl was reported missing. She later was found at a Salt Lake City bus station, where she was scheduled to get on a bus using a ticket Davison had purchased for her through a third party, according to case records.

Initially, Davison pleaded not guilty to the charge, and a jury trial was set for Sept. 28.

However, on Aug. 24 a change of plea hearing was held in which Davison entered the new guilty plea.

The charge carries a minimum 10-year sentence and a maximum life sentence, plus a $250,000 fine, according to federal documents.

Davison's plea document states that between June 1, 2008, and Nov. 13, 2008, he used the Internet and, in particular, instant messaging, “to coerce a minor to travel to California to engage in sexual activity with me.” He further admits that the girl was 13 years old at the time.

In exchange for the plea, the federal government agree to reduce his offense level under sentencing guidelines and suggest that he be sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Davison's sentencing is set for Dec. 17 before Judge Dale A. Kimball.

Also on Aug. 24, Kimball granted the federal government's request that a psychosexual evaluation be prepared on Davison.

If that evaluation report is completed in less than 120 days, Davison's sentencing will be moved up at the request of his attorney.

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