PITTSBURG — Two men were arrested and charged with human trafficking after investigators determined they’d come up with a scheme to advertise teen girls as sex workers, authorities said.

Gerald Ortega Jr., 32, and Brandon Edmondson, 30, were charged with human trafficking of a minor as well as soliciting a minor to use or sell a narcotic. Additionally, Ortega has been charged with possessing methamphetamine and heroin for sales, court records show.

A third suspect, an underage male, was identified and arrested, Pittsburg police Lt. Patrick Wentz said. It is unknown what charges he faces, as information on juveniles is confidential.

Pittsburg police began investigating this case after receiving a report from a local woman and her daughter that implicated Ortega and Edmondson, authorities said. After interviewing the girl, investigators identified a second alleged victim who was also underage, police said.

“The investigation revealed that through manipulation and providing illicit narcotics to the victims, the suspects had devised a plan for the victims to engage in acts of prostitution,” Wentz said.

Wentz didn’t say how far along the alleged plan went, and the charging documents don’t specify whether authorities believe any illicit transactions took place.

Neither defendant has yet entered a plea, according to court records.

Ortega is being held in lieu of $2.4 million bail, court records show. Edmondson has been released after posting $550,000 bail.