MANCHESTER – Stacey Ray Lancaster, 46, of Hudson, was one of five individuals recently taken into custody in connection with attempting to sex traffic a child at a hotel in Manchester.

Lancaster is employed at Manchester West High School where he oversees the school’s Naval Junior ROTC program. He has been on administrative leave since being arrested on Nov. 14.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as part of the sting operation, detectives used a “website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts” to post an advertisement.

The advertisement had images of two fictitious females who were said to be 12 and 14 years old. It also stated in part: “Sweet & tight! Ready 2 have some fun! In town 4 a limited time only. Text for donations. Incall only – safe and discrete location.”

Lancaster reportedly responded to the advertisement and negotiated the transaction before leaving Manchester West on Nov. 14.

On Nov. 15, an Affidavit In Support of Complaint was filed by Special Agent Lori Robinson of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. In her Complaint, Robinson said Lancaster “agreed to pay $100 to have sex with the 12-year-old girl.”

Upon arriving at the hotel, Lancaster was placed under arrest and charged with attempted sex trafficking of a child.

He appeared in court on Nov. 18 and was released to home detention in Raymond where he is awaiting trial.

Under federal law, if convicted, Lancaster could face 15 years to life in prison.

The other individuals caught in the sting operation include Arthur Picanco, 42, of Bradford, Mass., Sharath Chandra Bollu, 23, of Chelmsford, Mass., Ozeias Luiz Guilherme, 38, of Haverhill, Mass. and Koteshwara Raju Jonnagodda, 24, of Chelmsford, Mass.