Chalk up another online sexual predator conviction for the Baldwin City Police Department.

Larry LaVancher, 61, Auburn, N.Y., was sentenced this week to 121 months in federal prison, after he pleaded guilty to using the Internet to distribute child pornography to an undercover officer in Baldwin City. The crime occurred in December 2007, and LaVancher was arrested by FBI agents Jan. 15, 2008, at his home.

“In this case, it was orchestrated so we were on the computer talking to the suspect when the FBI came to the door,” said Mike McKenna, Baldwin City police chief. “Hard to deny that.”

LaVancher admitted in U.S. District Court to having sent to the officer numerous pornographic images of children. He thought he was conversing with a 30-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter. Court documents reveal he was trying to talk them into committing sex acts.

“He transmitted many pornographic images to the officer during the chat,” said Lisa Fletcher, an assistant U.S. attorney. “Some of the chats are sealed because they are so vulgar.”

Baldwin City officers have been involved with many such cases, six of which have resulted in arrests. This is the third conviction, so far. But this one was the farthest from Baldwin City.

“You’ve heard the expression, ‘the long arm of the law.’ This is it,” McKenna said. “He started talking to us, thinking it was a woman with a daughter here in Baldwin. The perpetrator or suspect has to make the solicitation for sexual gratification from us. This is an essential part of any of these child pedophile cases.”

Fletcher said it’s vital for police departments of all sizes to do what they can to stem the epidemic of online sexual predators. It keeps her office busy.