(10/26/2018) - A grand jury indicted a Mount Pleasant man on charges that he attempted to pay the father of a 9-year-old to let the boy provide sexual favors.

The 25-year-old suspect is facing federal charges of attempted exploitation of children, attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and distribution of child pornography.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and FBI Detroit Division collaborated on the investigation.

Authorities say Gary Nelson Bugh paid an undercover police officer, who he thought was the 9-year-old boy's father, to sexually and physically abuse the boy while video recording it.

Bugh wanted the supposed father to send him a video of the abuse afterward.

Police say Bugh also asked the undercover officer to bring the 9-year-old to him so he could commit physical and sexual abuse himself. Bugh allegedly discussed his desire to sexually assault a child until the child dies.

While communicating with the undercover officer, investigators say Bugh also sent multiple images of child pornography.

If convicted, Bugh faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in the federal Bureau of Prisons.