A Fort Carson soldier was arrested for attempting to meet a minor for sex as a result of a two-day operation conducted by federal investigators near the Colorado Army post, service officials said Wednesday.

The soldier was arrested and referred to the Army for prosecution, according to officials for the service’s Criminal Investigation Division. Army investigators did not identify the soldier, though they did say the soldier was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group, which is headquartered at Fort Carson.

Information on four others identified during the operation was provided to civilian authorities, CID officials said.

The CID’s Rocky Mountain Field Office, located at Fort Carson, conducted the online child-exploitation operation Friday and Saturday along with investigators from the Department of Homeland Security.

“These predators exist in the community, and we want to send the message that we will do whatever it takes to bring them to justice,” said CID’s Special Agent-in-Charge Ryan O’Connor of the Rocky Mountain Field Office.

During the two-day sting, agents gained contact information and identification while the suspects were attempting to meet with an underage juvenile for sexual services, according to Army investigators. The suspects agreed to meet the minor at a predetermined location during the online conversations.

As part of its crime prevention program, CID agents “routinely conduct child exploitation operations across the world,” the agency said.

The CID declined to provide further information about the sting, citing a need to protect the integrity of operations.

The entrance of Fort Carson, an Army installation near Colorado Springs, Colo. (Wikimedia Commons)