LISBON — Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam ordered an evaluation for competency to stand trial for Larry E. Smith, who’s facing charges in a sex for hire case.

Smith, 39, New Castle, Pa., appeared recently for a hearing, with his defense attorney requesting the competency evaluation. Washam issued an order for the Forensic Psychiatric Center of Northeast Ohio to conduct the evaluation.

The trial that had been set for Jan. 8 was canceled and a status conference was set for March 14.

Charges against Smith include third-degree felony compelling prostitution, fourth-degree felony attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and fifth-degree felonies of importuning and possessing criminal tools for allegedly answering an undercover ad posted on a known prostitution website of an adult female and 15-year-old female and soliciting sexual conduct with the juvenile in exchange for $140, arriving in East Palestine on March 4 for the meeting.

Also in Common Pleas Court:

— James Merino, 66, Benton Road, Salem, pleaded guilty to charges in two separate indictments, including three counts of fifth-degree felony aggravated possession of drugs, third-degree felony having weapons while under disability and fifth-degree felonies of possession of fentanyl-related compound and possession of drugs. Sentencing was set for May 23. Merino was accused of possessing methamphetamine and a firearm on Oct. 13, 2021 while prohibited from having a firearm due to prior convictions and possessing methamphetamine, fentanyl, methylphenidate and buprenorphine on Aug. 22, 2022.