A sting operation by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department in an area known for high volumes of prostitution traffic, resulted in the arrests of 26 suspected “johns.”
The sheriff’s department conducted the sting operation Friday at the California Inn at 1130 S. 9th St., in Modesto. The sheriff’s department used female deputies dressed in plainclothes to act as decoys in the operation targeting those individuals soliciting prostitutes for sex, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Luke Schwartz.
The operation lasted 10-hours from 2 p.m. to 12 midnight, and resulted in the arrest of 26 men, all of whom attempted to pay the decoys a certain amount of money for sexual favors, Schwartz said. As a result of those arrests, 23 vehicles were towed from the parking lot of the California Inn as well. All arrests were made without incident and no contraband, like drugs or guns were recovered. Those who were arrested for a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct/prostitution were: Gustavo Rodriguez, 23; Alex Miller, 39; Reynol Celestino, 19; Alfonso Cortes, 38; Lucio Simao, 44; Victor Perez, 28; Bobby Carrillo, 33; Armando Morales, 38; Jaziel Hernandez, 35; Jason De la Guardia, 33; Oscar Cruz, 25; Paramdeep Poonian, 25; Wendell Sherman, 38; Felipe Barraza, 43; Jesus Marin, 36; Hector Chavez, 40; Qasim Khan, 38; Hector Vargas, 32; Justo Covarrubias, 40; Joel Delgado, 43; Roberto Campos, 42; Armando Jimenez, 48; Jose Garcia, 32; Steven Sigala, 52; Alex Lopez, 37; and John Plazola, 43. Each person arrested was transported to the Stanislaus County Men’s Jail and booked on the prostitution charge.To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
