The Youngstown Phantom’s hockey team’s Director of Operations pleaded "not guilty" Monday after being arrested in what’s become a weekly undercover human trafficking sting in Columbiana County.

Robert Acri, 30, of Canfield is charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools after being arrested on Friday by an agent of the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.

According to a criminal complaint, Acri didn’t know he was communicating with an undercover agent when he allegedly offered to pay $100 for sex acts.

The agent says when Acri showed up in Salem as arranged, he was arrested and booked into the Columbiana County Jail.

Court documents identify Acri as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Youngstown Phantoms.

Acri, whose picture and bio have been removed from the Phantom’s website, has been suspended from the team pending an investigation.

The Phantom’s posted the following message on its Facebook page:

“The Phantoms have learned that an employee has been arrested on misdemeanor prostitution charges. He has been suspended by the team pending an investigation. Our primary concern will always be the safety of our players, and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.”

Acri's next court appearance is set for November.