MOSCOW - The internet can be a way to keep in touch with loved ones, but it's also a way for sexual predators to prey on children.

And every parent's worst nightmare became a reality for one Moscow family.

"Back in March we received information from a father who was concerned about chatting that was occurring at his house with his daughter," said Moscow Assistant Police Chief David Duke. "He had actually talked with a person who represented themselves as a 21-year-old male out of Florida who said he was a police officer. But when he did follow up on some of the information, he couldn't verify it, so he contacted our department."

The Florida man’s victim is a 15-year-old girl. Duke said his department launched an investigation after the tip, and with the help of the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, proved what they already feared to be true.

"The ensuing investigation revealed that this person wasn't actually 21 but a 51-year-old male," said Duke. "They had been chatting for three years and during the last eight months, it had escalated into cyber sexual activity."

Duke said William Stevens, now 52, is free on bond after pleading guilty Wednesday in Federal Court to using interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor and conspiracy to misuse a controlled substance.

"During their conversations through blogging, he encouraged the victim to use the schedule four drug Ambien on the mother so she would pass out and they could continue this blogging without her knowledge," said Duke.

Duke said Stevens also told the teen that he loved her and wanted to take her away. He confessed the crimes to police, which resulted in Wednesday's plea. Duke said although the two never met, there was clear intent to do so. Duke said you need to know what your kids are doing online.

"Understand what your child is doing on the computer," said Duke. "In this information age, the child wants secrecy while they're doing it because they want their privacy protected. What we encourage is that the parents have an open dialogue with the child. Who they're chatting with, where they're on the computer all the time."

Duke said Steven's sentencing will be in mid April and said he could serve up to 12 years behind bars.