OMAHA, Neb. -- A 73-year-old Sioux Falls man was sentenced Thursday for traveling to have sex with a minor in Nebraska.

U.S. Attorney Steven Russell announced Friday that 73-year-old John Stratman of Sioux Falls, S.D. was sentenced on Thursday in federal court in Omaha for traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. 

Stratman was sentenced to 135 months in prison. After his release from prison, Stratman will begin a seven-year term of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system. 

U.S. District Judge Brian Buescher ordered Stratman to pay $20,000 fine and a $5,000 special assessment; and Stratman forfeited a 2019 Buick Enclave. 

Court documents showed the timeline leading to Stratman's arrest. 

On October 1, 2021, Stratman reportedly contacted someone he believed had access to a 15-year-old female that Stratman could meet to have sex with. The person Stratman contacted was working as an undercover law enforcement officer.

It was reported that from October 1, 2021, through January 4, 2022, Stratman and the undercover law enforcement officer communicated through cell phones about the arrangement for Stratman's sexual activity with the 15-year-old.

During the cell phone conversations, Stratman was mainly in South Dakota and the undercover law enforcement officer was in Omaha.

On January 2, 2022, court documents say, Stratman booked a hotel room in Omaha which he intended to use to meet with the 15-year-old.

On January 4, 2022, Stratman traveled from South Dakota to Omaha, with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with the 15-year-old.

After arriving in Omaha, Stratman communicated with the undercover law enforcement officer informing him he was ready to meet. When the undercover law enforcement officer arrived at the hotel, Stratman had gifts including candy and flowers he purchased for the 15-year-old.

Stratman also paid the law enforcement officer $200 in cash for the sexual activity he intended to have with the 15-year-old.

This case was investigated by the Omaha FBI's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force