A former chief of the Marion Township Volunteer Fire Company has been charged with having improper contact with two minors who are volunteers at the department.

Robert Hairhoger, 33, of Mercer County, was charged with two felony counts of criminal use of a communication facility and contact with a minor, and two misdemeanor counts of corruption of minors.

State police began its investigation after receiving two ChildLine reports in August alleging Hairhoger was sending improper photos of himself through Snapchat to two minors, ages 15 and 17, who are volunteers at the department.

In addition, the report claimed Hairhoger had at least one sexual conversation with the 15-year-old and multiple conversations with the 17-year-old, and engaging in “stalkerish” behavior such as sending them multiple messages on their phones and showing up at places were they were present without being invited, according to an affidavit.

A Harrisville police officer forwarded a copy of a statement he obtained from the 15-year-old, which said Hairhoger offered him money if he would send him improper photos of himself, and that Hairhoger sent him improper photos of himself at least twice, according to the affidavit.

The 17-year-old told state police that Hairhoger sent him improper photos, asked him to send him improper photos and asked him improper questions.

In a forensic interview in September, the 15-year-old reported that he was in the chief’s office in the fire station with Hairhoger when Hairhoger sent him an inappropriate photo, and he sent him another photo a week later, according to the affidavit.

He also said in the interview that Hairhoger sent him messages asking for inappropriate photos before he received any photos from Hairhoger. He said Hairhoger offered him money more than once if he sent him a photo and asked him twice a week for photos, but he didn’t send him any photos, according to the affidavit.

Both minors reported the photos and messages to a lieutenant in the department, according to the affidavit.

Hairhoger was arraigned Oct. 8 and released on nonmonetary bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.