Melbourne man Michael Quinn allegedly arrived in Los Angeles on the weekend to "meet up with a dad who shares his young ones".

Instead the alleged paedophile was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

Mr Quinn, 33, now faces charges of travelling to the US for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and attempted sex trafficking of a minor.

The Australian is currently being held in a Los Angeles jail.