LISBON — Usually the one making the arrest, William F. Brown, the head of the Mercer County Drug Task Force and a fire chief for West Salem Township in Pennsylvania was the latest person snared in sex sting operations by local members of the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force on Monday.

Brown, 58, Greenville, Pa., pleaded no contest Tuesday morning in county Municipal Court to charges of engaging in prostitution, possession of criminal tools and attempted sexual conduct with an animal.

Brown reportedly responded to an advertisement on a prostitution website and requested sex with a woman in exchange for money. Additionally, the conversation with the undercover officer led to Brown stating he was into beastiality and that he knew of a dog that would perform in sexual activities. He additionally said he wanted the prostitute he believed he was hiring to find a K-9 to be involved in their sex, stating he was interest in having sex with the woman after the K-9 did.

Brown, who had ID showing he was a narcotics agent for the Pennsylvania office of the attorney general, said he was fine with the woman getting high on narcotics during their sexual encounter.

He was taken into custody when he traveled to the county to meet the woman with $300 to pay her.

A disposition hearing was scheduled for Dec. 13 before Judge Katelyn Dickey.

Brown’s bond, which was set at $100,000 cash or surety, was posted and he was released later on Tuesday following the hearing.

He has served as chief of the volunteer fire department, Mercer County Station 73, since 2018.

djohnson@mojonews.com