The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced a man from Long Branch has been arrested and criminally charged with seeking a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old girl.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Samuel H. Christopher, 66, is charged with second-degree luring and second-degree attempted sexual assault of a minor, among other charges.

The prosecutor’s office says the investigation began earlier this summer when Christopher engaged in conversations with an undercover officer online, believing the officer to be a 13-year-old girl.

Christopher allegedly made it clear he was interested in meeting with the girl to engage in a sexual encounter.

Christopher then made arrangements to meet the girl in Belmar. He was taken into custody without incident at the time and location of their planned meeting.

Christopher was lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a first appearance that took place Thursday in Monmouth County Superior Court.

A detention hearing has been tentatively scheduled to be heard Monday.