A former state auditor from Cranberry Township accused of attempting to procure child sexual abuse material had his charges held for court when he appeared for a Friday, Nov. 6, preliminary hearing.

Eric Zachary Trylko, 32, had communicated with a representative of Predator Poachers, an online sexual predator-hunting group, who was posing as a 13-year-old boy on Telegram, according to charging documents.

The investigation was turned over to Cranberry Township police after Trylko had communicated with the decoy about engaging in sexual acts, the documents state.

He was charged Sept. 23 with one felony count each of criminal attempt to procure child sexual abuse material and criminal use of a communication facility. He was held in Butler County Prison from Sept. 23 to Sept. 29 before posting $100,000 bail.

Assistant District Attorney David Beichner and defense attorney Thomas McKinley agreed on a stipulation to the affidavit of probable cause agreeing on certain facts of the case to speed up the court process.

Trylko’s former attorney, Kevin Chernosky previously said the law requires communication to be with a minor or law enforcement posing as a minor for charges to be filed, not a private citizen posing as a minor.

However, police said Trylko admitted he previously received inappropriate images and videos from at least three minors.

Trylko’s formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 22 in Butler County Common Pleas Courtroom 2.