CYPRESS, Texas -- Three men were arrested in a crackdown on Internet predators targeting underage girls, News2Houston reported Friday.

Video

State Investigators Crack Down On Internet Predators

The Texas Attorney General's Office conducted the online sting through its cybercrimes unit. Officers posed as a 14-year-old girl and made plans to meet for a sexual encounter.

Phillip Ashcraft, 37, from northwest Harris County, was arrested and charged with attempted sexual assault of a child.

Officials said he posted a $50,000 bond.

Ashcraft, who is unemployed, lives in the Lakewood West apartment complex on Grant in Cypress with his girlfriend, apartment managers said.

Karen Barcia lives in Ashcraft's complex. As a mother, she was concerned about his arrest.

"I think it's disgusting. It's scary. You don't know who these people are and this looks like a decent citizen," she said.

Barcia has two daughters, 11 and 5 years old. Since they have a computer in their room, she worries about their safety on the Internet.

"My 5-year-old is on the Internet at Barbie.com. And it's really scary to know that these people are out here trying to get little girls," Barcia said.

The cybercrimes unit also arrested two soldiers -- Christopher Barton, 26, from San Antonio, and Kenneth Brzoznowski, 27, from Copperas Cove.

Investigators said Barton thought he was meeting a 15-year-old girl for sex after they met on the Internet, and Brzoznowski thought he was meeting a 13-year-old.

Since May 2003, the cybercrimes unit has made 32 arrests. All of the men have been charged with attempted sexual assault of a child, which is a felony.