Chicago man pleads guilty in internet sex case

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A Chicago man accused of traveling to New England to have sex with a 15-year-old Massachusetts girl has pleaded guilty.

Mani Batchu, a former psychiatry resident at the University of Illinois Medical Center, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Springfield to charges including transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 15. He faces a maximum of 24 years in prison.

Prosecutors say the 29-year-old Batchu met the Amherst girl online in 2009, lying about his name and claiming he was 17, then "groomed" her for sex by buying her gifts. Authorities alleged he flew and drove to New England and Florida to have sex with the girl.

Batchu's lawyers have claimed the girl lied about her age.