By Katie Thorsen
WXPR

A Rhinelander man pleaded guilty to federal child sex crimes earlier this month.

Paul Osterman, 35, was indicted on federal charges in May 2021. He was accused of talking to a 13-year-old girl on the “MeetMe” app about having sex in exchange for money and then driving to Illinois to meet her.

Osterman was arrested in September 2020 after a two-year investigation.

Osterman pleaded guilty to the federal child sex trafficking charge against him. The other two counts were dropped.

As part of the plea agreement, the trafficking a child charges he faces in Marathon and Lincoln Counties would be dropped.

Osterman’s sentencing is set for July. The charge carries a minimum of 15 years in prison. A judge could sentence him up to life in prison and fine him up to $250,000.