An American child predator who lured a 16-year-old Sydney girl to the US "to satisfy his own sordid desires" has been found guilty in a New York court.

Sean Price, 39, faces life in prison after a Brooklyn jury found him guilty on four counts, including attempted sexual exploitation of a child and foreign transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

Price began an online relationship with the girl, who lived in Sydney's upper north shore, in 2016 and by January 2017, they were communicating daily on Facebook.

Prosecutors said much of the discussion involved Price's desire to engage in sex with the girl despite knowing her age, and finding a way for her to travel to New York without authorities or her parents finding out.