Man convicted for planning rape of girl who never existed

HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- A man was convicted of attempted rape for planning to assault a nonexistent 10-year-old girl who was imagined in an effort to break up a child pornography ring.

Prosecutors said Steven Peterman, 44, believed the child was real and that he intended to commit the crime.

Peterman was convicted Wednesday of attempted rape, solicitation to commit rape and sexual exploitation of a child. He faces 11 years in prison at his sentencing Dec. 27.

Authorities said a woman Peterman met in a bar made up the girl to help break up a child pornography ring.