Gainesville man charged with sex trafficking crimes

Booking photo of Arthur Lee Jr.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 33-year-old Gainesville man has been indicted on charges of sex trafficking by force and use of a facility of interstate commerce to promote prostitution. 

Arthur Larange Lee Jr., 33, was arraigned Tuesday in Gainesville.

The indictment alleges that, between Aug. 4 and 5, 2016, Lee transported, maintained, and advertised a victim, knowing that the victim would be forced to engage in a commercial sex act. The indictment further alleges that Lee used the internet and a cellphone to promote a prostitution offense.

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His trial is scheduled for April 25.

The case is being investigated by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Williams.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.