A Shelby County man was sentenced to prison last week for soliciting minors over the Internet for sex.

Michael Lamont Crockett, 33, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison with life on supervised release after the prison term is served. Crockett must also pay a $5,000 fine.

Crockett was arrested in January and convicted in U.S. District Court in March. According to U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, Crockett attempted to entice three different girls, ages 13, 14 and 15, to meet him to engage in illegal sexual acts.

Crockett used his computer and Internet service provider to solicit his intended victims from August 2003 to December 2003, according to Martin.

According to assistant U.S. attorney James Phillips, who prosecuted Crockett, undercover agents posed as young girls during the investigation. Crockett was arrested after he attempted to meet one of the girls.

&uot;He showed up to meet her and was arrested,&uot; Phillips said.

Crockett faced federal charges because any use of the Internet during a crime constitues interstate commerce.

&uot;We are pleased that the court sentenced the defendant to the maximum time in prison under the federal sentencing guidelines and that this sexual predator will be under the supervision of the court for the rest of his life,&uot; Martin said.

&uot;We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who use the Internet to prey on our chidren.&uot;