Suffolk Legislator William Spencer has stepped down from his position as majority leader of the Legislature's Democratic Caucus following allegations he tried to trade prescription drugs for sex, Presiding Officer Rob Calarco announced Thursday.

Calarco says Spencer has also been removed from his position as chair of the Legislature's Health Committee, which means he is no longer serving on the Legislature's Heroin and Opiate Epidemic Advisory Panel.

Spencer was arraigned on drug-related charges, including criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty.

Officials say Dr. Spencer believed he was meeting a woman to swap oxycodone for sex and that he believed she was a prostitute with whom he had an ongoing relationship. He texted the message "Tonight we trade" -- not knowing that woman turned out to be an undercover DEA task force agent.

Dr. Spencer had two pills, condoms, lubricant and a handgun on him when he was arrested behind an Elwood strip mall, officials say.

Spencer is an ear, nose, throat specialist with a practice in Huntington. He is a minister and is married with three children.

In a statement Thursday, Calarco said, "There is nothing in the law that requires a legislator to resign while charges are pending, and while the allegations against Legislator Spencer are serious, he is entitled to his day in court."

Calarco went on to say the Democratic Caucus is set to convene to select a new majority leader, as well as a new health committee chair, at a later date.