Air Force Sgt. Charged in Online Sting

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - Senior Master Sergeant Arthur Henderson, a veteran of the United States Air Force, is grounded after being caught in an undercover internet operation.

During the investigation, an officer posed as a 14-year-old female. The officer engaged in an instant message conversation with Henderson, who arranged to meet for a sexual encounter at an undisclosed location.

When Sergeant Henderson arrived at the location, the police and special agents from the Air Force were waiting for him.

People who lived next door to the Master Sergeant were caught off guard by the arrest.

"It's disturbing. I don't have any small children or anything like that I have grandchildren," says one neighbor.

"It scares me definitely. I mean the little one here is 7 and 4. It's scary," says another neighbor.

Henderson lives in a Springfield neighborhood. His neighbors say he moved in with his family last fall. They say they didn't really know much about him because he had not been there that long.

"It's upsetting because you put your trust in people like that too," a neighbor said.

Moments after FOX 5 arrived, two people drove up to Henderson's home and went into the house. They didn't have any comment about the arrest.

Henderson is charged with attempted indecent liberties with a minor. The D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children task force ran this investigation.

Henderson is out on bond. A court date is set for April 29.