The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office conducted an undercover prostitution sting last week at a hotel in Mount Pocono, resulting in charges against a man and woman from Minersville, Schuylkill County.

Police said Candace Pickering, 49, and Leonard Chistakoff, 79, were taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Central Booking facility for fingerprints and photographs. They will both appear at a later date before the Magisterial District Judge Phillip Riley.

Undercover officers responded to an advertisement for prostitution where the Pickering boasted about her ability to perform sexual acts, and an arrangement was made by an undercover officer to pay the woman $300 for sex at a Pocono hotel.

Officials said when the woman arrived at the hotel, investigators learned she was traveling with a man later identified as Chistakoff. Police said Pickering went to the hotel room and met with the undercover officer, who paid her $300.

After a brief conversation, Pickering was taken into custody in the hotel room, while investigators took Chistakoff into custody in the parking lot.

Pickering told investigators after being read her Miranda rights she came to the hotel to engage in prostitution, referring to herself as an escort.

Chistakoff stated he came along for the ride in case anything bad happened, and that his friend, Pickering, was meeting someone to have some fun.

A search incident to the arrest of Pickering revealed she was in possession of a taser, which is a prohibited offensive weapon, a small amount of marijuana, a small amount of methamphetamine, and a crack pipe.

A search of Chistakoff’s vehicle revealed that where he was sitting, he had a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun in the door. Chistakoff does not have a concealed carry permit.

Also, in Chistakoff’s vehicle, investigators located a small amount of marijuana and smoking devices.

The DA’s office said the investigation was led by Detective Kim Lippincott and included other investigators from the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department, and the Stroud Area Regional Police Department.