State police have accused the chief of Diamond Fire Co. in Walnutport of arranging to pay an undercover trooper for sex.

State police at Bethlehem recently charged Michael Sherwood Wentz, 54, with patronizing prostitution for an incident which occurred in February.

Contacted on Monday, Wentz denied the accusations and said he was innocent of the charges.

According to court documents, state police placed ads online offering sex and sex acts. People who responded to the ad were directed to a room at a hotel in Hanover Township.

Troopers said that the evening of Feb. 17, Wentz went to the room, met the undercover trooper, and during a recorded conversation, agreed to pay $80 for a sexual act.

Troopers arrested Wentz, and searched his cellphone, and allegedly found text messages between him and the undercover trooper.

They filed charges last week. A court date in the case has not been set.

Wentz referred further questions to his attorney, who was not immediately available Monday.