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LISBON -- A jury trial remains set for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 5 for an Illinois man charged for allegedly possessing images of child pornography after being caught in a sex-for-hire sting in 2024.
Vincent John Bianconi, 36, last known address Chicago Heights, Ill., appeared in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Scott Washam for another status hearing Thursday. He was accompanied by his attorney, Lawrence Stacey II.
Washam said attorneys indicated there was no resolution of the case at this time, so it's going to trial. The state was represented by county Assistant Prosecutors Jennifer Bonish and Christopher Weeda.
Charges against Bianconi include three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, a fourth-degree felony, and misdemeanors of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.
Bianconi was accused of allegedly responding to an undercover ad placed by an agent on a known prostitution website and requesting a woman meet him in his semi truck for sex acts in exchange for $30, arriving at the meeting location in East Palestine on July 4, 2024 in his semi truck wearing only a robe, according to an affidavit. In his possession was $50 and the cell phone used to make the arrangements, which was seized.
An agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force recovered images from the phone of minor children engaged in sexual acts.