(KAIR)--A step forward in court proceedings for the Atchison educator arrested for alleged child sex crimes.

39-year-old Robert Bulk waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Atchison County District Court on Monday.

Bulk’s Topeka-based lawyer, Thomas Lemmon said he and Atchison County Prosecutor Jerry Kuckelman believe they’ve reached a plea agreement but needed further discussion.

Both said they should be ready to move forward with an agreement shorty and the case was set for Dec. 7 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Bulk faces charges stemming from incidents with an Atchison teenager.

According to the probable cause affidavit from Atchison County District Court, Bulk began an electronic relationship back in January with the teen. Their communication resulted in $745 that Bulk paid to the teen in exchange for sexual photographs.

Bulk was arrested July 8th following an investigation by the Atchison Police Department when alerted by the teen’s mother of the illegal sexual relationship.

During the course of the relationship, which began on Facebook and moved to cell phone texts and Snapchat, investigators say Bulk sent the teen sexual images and videos and requested the victim to do the same and arranged payment through Paypal.

The illegal communication is said to have occurred between March and June. The affidavit does say Bulk never engaged in any physical relationship with the child, but did made four requests to do so.

His charges are electronic solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child. Along with the sex charges, he faces drug charges. After a July 7th search warrant resulted in the discovery of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

He remains in the Atchison County Jail held on a $100,000 bond.

Bulk has been placed on administrative leave from his duties with Atchison’s USD 409, according to Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers. He had been employed with the district for 17 years.

Additionally, he was asked to step down from his role as Co-Chair of the Atchison County Democratic Party.