[armydoc]

These sexual predators weren't committing any actual crime -- no children were involved at any time -- they simply thought they were.

The statutes are specifically worded to make it a crime to use the internet to proposition someone you think is a minor. So, yes, it is very much a crime.

[robertpaulsen]

"to make it a crime to use the internet to proposition someone you think is a minor."

Exactly my point. A thought crime. No child was harmed in any way.