EAST PALESTINE — A Niles pastor faces charges after a sex sting arrest in Columbiana County.

The East Palestine Police Department, assisting the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, arrested Aaron A. Newell of Youngstown on Monday evening on charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

Police Chief James Brown III said Newell, 48, was arrested as part of an undercover sex sting and transported Monday to the Columbiana County jail by the New Waterford Police Department.

Newell pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday in Columbiana County Municipal Court. His bond was set at $2,500, and he’s scheduled to appear again April 5, court records state.

According to the Niles Christian Assembly website, Newell serves as the lead pastor at the church.

He grew up in the Mahoning Valley, is a graduate of Youngstown Christian School and later graduated from Southeastern University with a degree in church ministries, according to his church bio. In his career, Newell has been a youth pastor, children’s pastor, young adult pastor and a senior pastor.