LISBON — Suspended Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Anthony Frank Constantino entered a no contest plea and was found guilty of charges related to being caught in a sex sting operation in East Palestine on Jan. 16.

Constantino, 48, West Pershing Street, Salem, appeared with his defense attorney Gerald Ingram when he appeared for the pretrial in Columbiana County Municipal Court before Judge Tim McNicol on Wednesday. He was fined $750 and given a suspended 90-day jail term for misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

He also must complete 20 hours community service and a prostitution prevention course as part of his punishment.

The charges stemmed from an incident when he was accused of responding to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and arranging for sexual activity with a “woman” in exchange for money, then driving to East Palestine on Friday for the meeting with the phone used to make the arrangements in his possession, according to an affidavit by an agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. The affidavit said Constantino asked the “woman” during the conversation if she was law enforcement or the police. The “woman” was actually the agent.

When Constantino arrived at the meeting location, he was met by the agent and East Palestine police officers, taken into custody and released from jail on a recognizance bond.

When contacted about the outcome of the case and Constantino’s current status with the department, Perry Township Fire Chief Brandon Smith said Wednesday he remains on suspension. Smith said he’ll be meeting with the trustees and Constantino will remain on suspension at this time until that meeting.

When the arrest first occurred in January, the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department and Association issued a press release which said, “Our priority remains the safety of our community and the integrity of our organization. As this matter proceeds through the court system, Assistant Chief Constantino has been suspended from all duties with the fire department and association. We remain committed to serving the residents of Perry Township with professionalism and transparency and will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”