Man arrested on suspicion of pimping

A prostitution operation out of a local hotel got three people arrested Tuesday, the Porterville Police Department reported.

Police said that at about 6 p.m., officers went to Motel 6 on West Morton Avenue regarding suspicious activity occurring in one of the motel rooms. When they arrived, they contacted Ashley Chavez, 26, of Porterville, Megan Stumph, 20, of Oregon, and Esai Rodriguez, 24, of Porterville. Rodriguez had two felony arrest warrants and he was detained.

During the course of their contact, officers determined that Stumph was utilizing MyRedbook, an online social and dating website, to solicit and engage in prostitution as Rodriguez acted as her pimp. During a subsequent search, officers found other evidence indicating ongoing prostitution, and Stumph was also in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Both Stumph and Chavez were under the influence of methamphetamine.  

All three were arrested without incident and transported to the police department for further processing where Chavez was released on a citation. Stumph was booked into the Tulare County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, use of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and prostitution.

Rodriguez was booked into the Tulare County Jail for pimping and two felony arrests warrants.