Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - The members of a federal jury deliberated for only two hours before returning a guilty verdict against a Twin Cities man accused of forcibly prostituting and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old Rochester girl.

The federal sex trafficking indictment returned against 34-year-old Lee Paul alleged he and a 21-year-old Alexandria woman used text messages to lure the 12-year-old girl to a fast food restaurant in Rochester. She and a 16-year-old Kasson girl were then taken to the Twin Cities, where both girls were sexually assaulted.

The younger girl was then transported to Alexandria, where she was forced to have sex with men who responded to an ad on Craigslist. Authorities were able to rescue her after the 16-year-old girl contacted a law enforcement officer in the Twin Cities.

After charges were filed against him in Olmsted and Anoka Counties, Paul fled from Minnesota and was later captured in Georgia.

The prosecution’s opening statement in the case was delivered by U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger, who also cross-examined Paul when he testified in his own defense.

A sentencing hearing for Paul has not been scheduled.

(Learfield Wire Services contributed to this story)

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