WAILUKU, Maui — A 38-year-old Kula man who had explicit sexual Internet chats with an undercover agent posing as a 15-year-old girl was sentenced to a one-year jail term Wednesday for electronic enticement of a child.

Noting that the case was the first in the state to go to trial on the charge, 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August allowed Robert J. Mc-Knight Jr. to remain free on $20,000 bail while he appeals his conviction.

McKnight was placed on five years probation and was required to register as a sex offender. He also was ordered to undergo sex offender treatment.

"The court has some concern that he is not already participating in some type of therapy," August said. "Obviously, there are things that are driving Mr. McKnight which have caused him to fall prey to certain desires which society has found to be inappropriate. He needs help for that."

The judge said he considered the business owner's background and history in sentencing him to probation and a mandatory one-year jail term, rather than the maximum 10-year prison term sought by the prosecution.

McKnight initiated contact with the state law enforcement agent posing as "Chyla" in an Internet "romance room" on June 13, 2006.

The two were involved in sexually explicit Internet chats and three telephone calls. Twice, McKnight used a Web camera to sexually expose himself and masturbate to the girl while chatting online with her, said Deputy Attorney General Albert Cook. He said McKnight bought an airline ticket for the girl to travel from O'ahu to Maui to have sex with him. McKnight was arrested July 6, 2006, when he went to Kahului Airport to meet the girl.

During a trial in September, a jury found McKnight guilty of first-degree electronic enticement of a child. The charge can be brought when someone uses a computer or other electronic device to communicate with a juvenile and, with the intention of committing a felony, goes to an arranged meeting place.

In 2006, the Legislature required that anyone granted probation for this be required to serve a one-year jail term.