Authorities allege that a Chubbuck man was the pimp in a prostitution ring involving local women.

Theron Levi Radford, 43, was arraigned Friday for allegedly procuring prostitution and accepting payment for prostitution, both felonies. He was released on his own recognizance following the hearing.

“If you look at my history, I always take care of my obligations,” Radford told the court in requesting his release.

Radford was arrested on the prostitution-related charges Thursday and booked into Bannock County jail.

In court Friday, Radford asked that he be released from Bannock County jail so he could continue to operate his Chubbuck businesses. Radford operates a bankruptcy petitioner service and has other entrepreneurial endeavors.

Sixth District Magistrate Judge Paul Laggis agreed to release Radford and set a preliminary hearing in the case for Aug. 16.

Radford’s arrest followed a lengthy investigation into the prostitution ring that involved the Chubbuck Police Department, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Department of the Treasury.

Laggis also issued a no-contact order between Radford and another witness in the case.

Radford is accused of arranging and sharing the proceeds from sex for cash encounters involving prostitutes and their customers between Aug. 1, 2014, and Jan. 25, 2016, in the Pocatello area, according to police reports.

Radford allegedly advertised the prostitution service on backpage.com, paid for the local hotel rooms where the sex would take place and split the money with the prostitutes — all of whom were local women. Most of their customers were Pocatello area men.

According to police reports, evidence collected when Chubbuck police assisted the Idaho Department of Treasury in executing search warrants at Radford’s home and at one of his businesses in May 2015 eventually led to his arrest on the prostitution-related charges.

The evidence in the case included text messages and witness statements, authorities said.

Chubbuck police Lt. Bill Guiberson said Radford’s arrest was the result of some solid investigating on the part of Chubbuck police and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

Following the execution of the search warrants, Radford was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and carrying a weapon while under the influence. He was convicted on those charges as well as for possessing more than two ounces of marijuana. Radford was sentenced to jail time he had already served and was fined about $1,300.

Law enforcement seized $3,172, mostly in $20 bills, during the execution of the search warrants.

Bannock County Prosecutor Steve Herzog said he does not expect to file additional charges in the case. Authorities have identified the prostitutes who worked for Radford as well as many of their customers.

Herzog said if convicted of the charges against him, Radford could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and/or fined up to $50,000.