By Sarah Elizabeth Villicana, The Porterville Recorder

Charges have been dropped against two women arrested in connection with the death of Joseph “Rod” Roderick Fox.

The body of Fox, 36, was discovered Aug. 13 in an open field. A passerby discovered the body in the 400 block of South E Street at 3:55 p.m. and reported it to police, the Porterville Police Department reported.

Police arrested Miguel Cervantes Calderon, 26, Crystal Barragan, 23, and Esperanza Hernandez, 28, the next day in connection with what police are describing as Porterville's sixth homicide of the year. All three were booked at the Tulare County Jail.

Fox died after suffering a single stab wound, according to Tulare County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Chris Douglass. Tulare County Deputy District Attorney Afferen Kaeble said charges have been filed against Calderon. He is currently awaiting a preliminary trial setting scheduled Sept. 19 at the county's Pre-Trial Facility in Visalia.

Kaeble said charges against Barragan and Hernandez were not filed.

Calderon is believed to have been a transient in the Porterville area.

The area where Fox's body was found is frequently traveled by transients moving to and from the river, Porterville police Sgt. Duanne Griffin said. Fox's body was found 50 yards from the nearest roadway and had been in the field for several hours prior to being discovered, according to past reports.

Police have not identified a possible motive in Fox slaying.

Contact Sarah Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com.