Note: The below story contains elements of a sexual nature that some may find offensive.

The head of the Mercer County Drug Task Force, who is also a local fire chief, is being held in the Columbiana County Jail on $100,000 bond after being arrested in an undercover sex sting.

William F. Brown, 58, of Greenville, was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in Columbiana County Municipal Court on charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

Mercer County District Attorney Peter Acker says Brown was assigned by the Pennsylvania Attorney General as Mercer County Drug Task Force Coordinator and is also the chief of the West Salem Township Fire Department.

According to an affidavit, Brown answered an ad on a known prostitution website posted by an undercover agent from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.

The ad was purportedly from an adult female drug-dependent woman offering sex for hire.

The agent says Brown offered cash for sex, saying he was into bestiality and wanted to bring a dog to have sex with the woman before Brown had sex with her.

The affidavit also alleges that Brown said it was okay for the woman to get high on drugs during the sex acts.

Brown was arrested on Monday when he arrived at an agreed-upon location in Ohio.

Authorities confiscated Brown’s phone and $300 at the time of his arrest.

The next court hearing for Brown is scheduled for December 13.

A spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Press Office tells 21 News that Brown was immediately put on leave upon learning of his arrest and the administrative process to terminate him has been launched. 

DA Acker says a replacement coordinator has been named and the activity of the Mercer County Drug Task Force should not be negatively impacted by Brown’s suspension.