A 22-year-old Lawrence man was arrested this week after prosecutors say he arranged to pay to have sex with what he believed was an underage girl.

Alex Bou is charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Wednesday, after which he was released on conditions, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley’s office said in a statement.

On Aug. 16, prosecutors say Bou replied to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement on a website used to advertise commercial sex. The advertisement included images of a young girl and language describing the girl as a “flower ready to blossom,” Foley’s office said.

Prosecutors say Bou sent a text to a phone number listed on the advertisement saying, “U available.” An und

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