David Wayne Budd, 28, was arrested at Sydney's airport in June after he held an online conversation with a police detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.

The sailor, who lives with his wife and child in Imperial Beach, San Diego, had flown 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south from Queensland state, where he was participating in joint U.S.-Australian military exercises, to meet his fictitious victim.

Appearing before the Parramatta Local Court on Monday, Budd pleaded guilty to using the Internet to groom a child for sex. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison.

Budd was released on bail ahead of his sentencing on Aug. 31.

While on bail, he is barred from leaving Australia and contacting any non-relatives under the age of 16. He is also banned from using the Internet for any purpose except for work and to contact his relatives in the United States and must report to police three days a week.

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