Boardman School officials announced  Monday that one of their teachers has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest over the weekend.

Forty-four-year-old music teacher Robert Pavalko, was one of two men arrested over the weekend by the Mahoning  Valley Human Trafficking Task Force for allegedly trying to meet a sex worker.

According to a news release from the Task Force, Pavalko and Logan Larlham, a 26-year-old convicted sex offender, drove to Columbiana County to pick up a woman, which was part of an undercover investigation.

According to the release, Larlham responded to a posted undercover ad on a known prostitution website and told the female to come to his motel room in Boardman. Larlham allegedly said he would get a room for the woman to "conduct business," and she would send him people who wanted to buy drugs.

Police say Larlham and Pavalko were arrested when they went to pick up the woman and were found to have suspected methamphetamine with them. Detectives told 21 News they believe the two men were friends and that Larlham was paying Pavalko in drugs for the ride.

Larlham, who was sentenced to three years in prison in 2020 for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in Portage County,  had an active warrant after recently being indicted in Mahoning County for failure to register as a sex offender.

Boardman School officials say Pavalko is a music teacher at Boardman High School and Center Intermediate School.

"We are shocked and deeply disappointed by these allegations. The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities, and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to address this matter swiftly and appropriately," said Boardman Local Schools Superintendent Tim Saxton in an emailed statement.

While school officials said the incident occurred off school property and did not involve any students, Pavalko has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of legal proceedings and an internal investigation, according to the statement from the school.

Pavalko previously worked for the Lakeview School District.

Both men were taken to the Columbiana County Jail. Pavalko was released Monday morning. 

Larlham is facing charges of promoting prostitution and possession of drugs.

Pavalko is charged with possession of drugs and permitting drug abuse.