Photo: Contributed

A Kamloops sheriff who was caught in a Creep Hunters' sting and charged with trying to lure a child made an appearance in Kelowna court, Thursday.

Kevin Johnston is alleged to have communicated by text with a member of the vigilante group between Aug. 8 and 27.

The Creep Hunters say they posted an ad on Craigslist, posing as a 14-year-old girl.

A man contacted them, and the conversation turned sexual, eventually leading to him sending naked photos, and pictures of himself in his sheriff's uniform.

Johnston, who is not in custody, was charged in September of communicating to lure a child under 16, making sexually explicit material available to a person under 16, arranging a sexual offence against a child, and inviting sexual touching to a person under 16.

A special prosecutor was appointed to the case, as Johnston was an employee of the Ministry of Justice at the time of the offence.

Johnston appeared in court to consult with counsel, and will make his next appearance on Dec. 19 for an arraignment. An arraignment is a formal reading of the charges the defendant faces.