PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A St. Joseph man accused of crimes against children in Ford County has taken a plea deal with prosecutors.

Tyler McElwee, 35, was facing two charges that included traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation of a minor. The Paxton Police Department, which arrested McElwee last month, said he was communicating with someone he believed was a teenager and arranged to meet them for sexual purposes. In reality, McElwee was communicating with an undercover police officer.

Court records show that earlier this week, McElwee was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing. During that hearing, McElwee pleaded guilty to the traveling to meet a minor count; in return, the indecent solicitation charge was dismissed.

McElwee has been ordered to complete a sex offender evaluation ahead of his sentencing, which is scheduled for March 11.