Federal authorities have arrested a 67-year-old Manatee County man they say used Craigslist to try to set up a sexual encounter with a 10-year-old girl.

According to the Department of Justice, an FBI special agent noticed an advertisement in the “all personals” section of Craigslist referring to a single white male seeking a “family dynamic.”

Last week, authorities say, William Daniel Thompson engaged in e-mail communications with the undercover agent posing as the father of a 10-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy. During the online communications, Thompson told the undercover agent that he wanted to engage the minors in sexual conduct.

On Thursday, Thompson traveled to Altamonte Springs, where he had arranged to meet the father of the minors for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, authorities say. He was arrested there.

Thompson admitted to going to Altamonte Springs to explore the possibility of having sex with a 10-year-old girl, according to the Justice Department. Investigators say they learned Thompson has been involved in a bondage, dominance, sadomasochistic lifestyle for about 10 years.

Thompson is charged with attempting to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct. He faces 10 years to life in prison.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.