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An upstate middle-school principal used Snapchat to try to lure a 16-year-old girl to meet him in a remote location for sex — bringing with him condoms, chicken nuggets and a Grimace milkshake from McDonald’s, authorities say.

Johnson City Middle School Principal Daniel Erickson was arrested Friday and charged with luring a child and attempted rape, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Erickson, 55, had been allegedly communicating with the teen for at least a week before his arrest.

The New York principal made statements to her that indicated he was “going to engage in sexual conduct with the minor,” the sheriff’s office said.

Erickson initially posed as a younger adult before revealing his true identity to the girl, officials said.

He then used “his position as the Johnson City Middle School Principal and school district database information to convince the 16-year-old girl who he really was,” authorities said.


  Johnson City Middle School Principal Daniel Erickson was arrested Friday for allegedly trying to have sex with a 16-year-old girl. Johnson City Central School District Johnson City Middle School Principal Daniel Erickson was arrested Friday for allegedly trying to have sex with a 16-year-old girl. Johnson City Central School District

  Erickson was communicating with the teen over Snapchat, authorities say. Johnson City Central School District Erickson was communicating with the teen over Snapchat, authorities say. Johnson City Central School District

Erickson made multiple attempts to meet with the girl — even showing up at her house — but the teen never came outside to see him, officials said.

Authorities said they were made aware of the situation Wednesday.

Two days later, Erickson allegedly agreed to meet with the student in a remote location with the intention of engaging in sexual relations.


  Erickson arrived for what he thought was a meet-up with a box of condoms, chicken nuggets and a Grimace milkshake from McDonald’s, according to officials. McDonald's Erickson arrived for what he thought was a meet-up with a box of condoms, chicken nuggets and a Grimace milkshake from McDonald’s, according to officials. McDonald's

  Erickson, who oversees an upstate middle school, was arrested when he allegedly arrived at the remote location for sex. Johnson City Central School District Erickson, who oversees an upstate middle school, was arrested when he allegedly arrived at the remote location for sex. Johnson City Central School District

Erickson arrived at the location with a box of condoms, chicken nuggets and a Grimace milkshake from McDonald’s, Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said during a press conference.

Detectives were at the location when Erickson arrived and arrested him.

“As a father, I know this is a nightmare scenario for any parent,” Akshar said. “We entrust our schools with the care and safety of our children, and to have an individual violate that trust, abuse their power and prey on a very student charged in our schools’ care is beyond disgusting.”

Erickson was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility. He is being held without bail.

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