The "girl" was an undercover officer in an Internet chat room.

Officers charged Mark Steven Shankin of Youngsville with one felony count each of attempted indecent liberties with a child, distributing obscenity to a minor, and soliciting a child by computer to commit a sex act, said Capt. Mike Williams of the Cary Police Department.

Williams said Shankin first made contact with the undercover officer Nov. 6 and continued until Jan. 9. Shankin and the officer had about 15 conversations during that period, he added.

Williams said Shankin was arrested Jan. 15 during a traffic stop on North Harrison Avenue near Dynasty Drive. He said officers have since executed two search warrants -- one to search Shankin’s home and the other to search his computer.

Shankin was released from jail the day of his arrest after posting $25,000 bail, Williams said.