The sentencing of an Auburn man on a federal charge he tried to arrange on the Internet to have sex with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, was postponed from Thursday until a yet-to-be determined date because of scheduling conflicts for the attorneys involved.

Prashant A. Agarwal, with a last known address of 6743 Butera Drive, and the former owner of the Dunkin' Donuts franchises in Auburn and Seneca Falls, pleaded guilty in U.S. Western District Court in Rochester to the use of an interstate facility to persuade, induce or entice an individual under 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.

Agarwal admitted to showing up at Marketplace Mall in Henrietta, Monroe County, April 26, 2006, to meet a 14-year-old and have sex with her. In fact, the girl was an undercover Monroe County Sheriff's deputy, and Agarwal was arrested the same day.

Agarwal engaged in 17 "sexually explicit" on-line instant messaging conversations between March 8 and April 26, 2006, with the undercover deputy posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to a criminal complaint filed last year.

On June 30, 2006, Agarwal turned himself over to answer the federal charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson ruled July 18, 2006, that he should be detained until trial because he "poses a danger to the community if released."

No sentencing commitments have been made in Agarwal's case. He faces the minimum of five years in prison and the maximum of 20 years.