By LEONARD GRAY

LAPLACE – In the early morning hours, a suspicious hotel security guard tipped off St. John the Baptist Parish deputies July 13, leading to five arrests in connection with prostitution.

Capt. Micheal Tregre said a Holiday Inn security guard noticed two men in a vehicle at 3:44 a.m. and called the sheriff’s office. A deputy found Colin Duhe, 23, of 1609 N. Sugar Ridge Road, LaPlace; and Kirk Frank, 22, of 79 Chad B. Baker St., Reserve, in the vehicle. Tregre said the two men told the deputies they were waiting on a woman in one of the hotel’s first-floor rooms. When deputies went to the room, Tregre continued, a knock on the door resulted in Javonna Nicholson Rayfield, 23, of 516-A Revere Drive, LaPlace, answering the door topless. While in the room, Dennis Bernal, 37, of 7401 W. Laverne, New Orleans, was not wearing pants, Tregre said.

Meanwhile, a disturbance had broken out back at the vehicle, and deputies discovered a handgun between the front seats and, in plain view, a Mack II assault weapon on the rear seat. The men said the guns were necessary to “protect” the women.

Back in the room, another disturbance broke out when Bernal accused Rayfield of stealing money from him by refusing to grant him a refund. The $800 total, all in $100 bills, was instead confiscated as evidence. As Tregre explained it, Bernal had paid Rayfield $400 for one sex act, which was completed, and then for a second act, which was interrupted by the arrival of the police. Therefore, he insisted on a refund of the additional $200, plus $200 more paid to a second woman in the room, Brandi Davis, 18, of 135 E. 21st St., Reserve.

Those involved were charged as follows: Bernel for soliciting for prostitution, Rayfield and Davis for prostitution, and Duhe and Frank for inciting prostitution.

Fortieth Judicial District Judge J. Sterling Snowdy set bonds as follows: Bernel and Rayfield at $2,500 each; and Duhe, Frank and Davis at $1,500 each.