A Tamaqua man who has held positions of trust within the community was arrested Thursday by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

Edward C. "Ed" Smith, 60, was charged on Thursday after he reportedly solicited sex online from someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy. Instead, his contact turned out to be an undercover agent.

According to the affidavit, the agency set up an undercover identity on social media using the characteristics of a 14-year-old boy. On Sept. 13, the agent monitoring the online profile received a private message from someone who described himself as "an older man."

The agent responded, specifically indicating he was 14-years-old. That didn't matter as the contact then solicited him for "kissing, cuddling and oral sex." He then asked if he could meet with the boy and arranged a time and place. He also suggested that all of the social media chats should be erased.

On Sept. 20, agents from the Child Predator Section of the Office of the Attorney General were at the prearranged meeting spot when a man, later identified as Smith, arrived at 6:23 p.m.

After waiving his right to an attorney, Smith was questioned and admitted his social media contact with the "boy" and gave agents verbal and written permission to access his cellphone. He also provided a verbal statement admitting knowing he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy, soliciting him for sex, saying he would have proceeded if he and the boy "clicked."

A search of Smith's phone recovered the entire "chat" conversation that took place between Sept. 13 and Sept. 20.

Smith was charged with felony counts of unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal use of a communications facility and unlawful contact with a minor for sexual purposes, along with a misdemeanor count of criminal attempt to commit indecent assault on a minor under the age of 16.

Bail was set at $250,000, which Smith was unable to post. He was placed in the Luzerne County Prison, scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. on Sept. 29.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro released a statement on Smith's arrest Friday afternoon.

In it, he said, "Thanks to the hard work of the agents and prosecutors in our Child Predator Section, another predator is off our streets. We have zero tolerance for the sexual abuse of children in Pennsylvania. Whoever the predator may be - even a public official - we will investigate and charge these predators wherever we find them."

Shapiro's mention of a public official was in reference to Smith's positions as a deputy coroner for Carbon and Schuylkill counties, as well as his involvement with the American Legion at the district and local levels.

Suspected child predators may be reported to the Predator Hotline at 1-800-385-1044. Anonymous tips may also be made by texting PAKIDS + (your tip) to 847411.