Staff Report

LISBON — A Youngstown resident who was a pastor in Niles pleaded no contest Monday in Columbiana County Municipal Court to charges of engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.

Aaron Newell, 49, of Goleta Avenue, received a 120-day suspended jail sentence for the two misdemeanor charges and must pay a $750 fine. He will be on probation for two years, and as part of his probation, Newell must perform 20 hours of community service within two months and must complete a 12-hour education course.

The East Palestine Police Department, assisting the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, arrested Newell Feb. 7, 2022. Police Chief James Brown III said at the time that Newell was arrested as part of an undercover sex sting.

Newell was accused of answering an online ad from an escort and offered to pay $180 for sex.

During the arrest, police seized $200 and his phone.

In May 2018, Niles Christian Assembly on North Road voted Newell to become its new senior pastor. The church had suspended him during the investigation.

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