AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Amarillo police are investigating after four people – including a City of Amarillo employee – were arrested following a joint state, federal and local sting operation.

On Jan. 7, police said they ran a sting operation targeting people looking to solicit underage girls online for sexual acts.

Those arrested included:

• Garrett Simpson, 26
• Darrin Barnett, 43
• Christopher Quintana, 42
• James Hayes, 33

All four men were booked into the Potter County Jail on charges of online solicitation of a minor.

The city has not yet said which man arrested was their employee.

It did however release a statement Tuesday morning:

The Special Victims Unit of the Amarillo Police Department and its partners arrested a City of Amarillo (COA) employee in sting operation on Jan. 7 for online solicitation of a minor.

The City of Amarillo holds its employees to the highest standards of public service and fully supports the APD investigation into this matter.

As this investigation is ongoing, COA is not able to comment further on this matter.

The charge is a second-degree felony and carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Written by Jacob Helker