A Cranberry Township resident, who was once employed as a teacher in Beaver County, is accused of attempting to commit sex acts with a person he thought was an 11-year-old boy.

Justin Lawrence Pavetto, 37, was charged Monday, May 4, with nine felony charges, including sexual abuse communication with a minor and attempt to rape a child, between April 23 and 30.

Police said Pavetto was communicating with an undercover agent and their fabricated stepson, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

Pavetto began contacting the undercover officer by phone April 23 after meeting through social media, police said. Pavetto was working as a teacher at New Horizon School in the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit, which works with students with special needs, according to the affidavit.

Pavetto was in contact with the agent by text, phone and video, and primarily discussed sexual acts with the 11-year-old boy, police said. Pavetto told the agent to commit child sex acts with the made-up stepson in a public restroom, and planned to meet the agent at McDonald’s to commit child sex acts.

Pavetto and an agent engaged in a video call April 29 regarding child sex acts, but Pavetto did not show his face. The following day, Pavetto called the agent 15 times and sent several messages about the previous night.

Pavetto is charged with two counts of unlawful minor contact, sexual abuse communication with a minor, attempt to rape a child, attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, soliciting the rape of a child, soliciting involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, soliciting photos of child sex acts and criminal use of a communication facility. All are graded as felonies.

Pavetto previously was employed by Mary Queen of Apostles School in New Kensington, where he taught sixth grade, according to his personal website. The Diocese of Greensburg said Pavetto has not been employed at the school since 2014.

Attempts to reach the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit were unsuccessful.

Pavetto is being held in Butler County Prison on a $500,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 29 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty.