James Robert Barany, 37, of Campbell, the band director at Overfelt High School in San Jose, was arrested about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday for trying to meet with someone he thought to be a 13 year old girl. His purposes were exclusively sexual. He met the “girl” in a chat room conversation on Monday. But the actual 13 year old was a Santa Cruz police detective.

"The entire conversation and the entire desire were initiated by Mr. Barany," Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend said. He was arrested while on his way to meet the “girl,” on

Barany was arrested on suspicion of attempting to solicit lewd acts from a minor over the Internet and later released on $25,000 bail. The police also searched his home where they say they found items that could be valuable evidence.

Barany resigned Wednesday morning from the Eastside Union High School District. He worked as a band director at Overfelt High School and Mount Pleasant High School for years and had no history of bad behavior.

Police officers explained that the arrest was part of routine operations that also include financial fraud and identity theft.

“As kids are going back to school, this is a sober reminder to parents to monitor what their kids are doing on the internet,” Friend said. “This was a teacher.”

Barany received his credential to teach music in March 2004.

District officials would not comment on the arrest or the investigation.