Kyle Tasker waived his right to a hearing Wednesday morning to challenge the evidence against him in a criminal case alleging drug possession and child sexual exploitation.
The 30-year-old former state representative was scheduled for a probable cause hearing Wednesday in Candia’s district court, but declined to move forward with the proceedings, according to a court clerk. The hearings, which defendants often waive, are used to establish whether a case has enough evidence to move to trial. Tasker’s case now heads to superior court.
Tasker, a three-term Republican from Nottingham, was arrested in early March and remains out on $50,000 cash bail with an electronic ankle bracelet. He is accused of trying to lure a 14-year-old girl into a sexual encounter on Facebook, but was arrested before any physical contact was made.
Police took over the girl’s social media accounts and arranged the meeting with Tasker, according to court documents.
Tasker has also been charged with drug possession relating to a trove of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms police said they found in his home. The court has entered not guilty pleas on his behalf.