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Lawrence Taylor indicted on felony third-degree rape charge

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Former NFL great Lawrence Taylor has been indicted on two felony counts and three misdemeanor charges related to the alleged rape of a 16-year-old allegedly hired as a prostitute, the Rockland County, N.Y., district attorney’s office said Wednesday.

Taylor, 51, faces two class ‘E’ felony counts -- third-degree rape and a third-degree criminal sexual act. The other counts are class ‘A’ and ‘B’ misdemeanors: endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree patronizing a prostitute, plus two counts of third-degree sexual abuse. The indictment alleges Taylor had intercourse and oral sex with the teen, then paid her $300. Under New York law, sex with a person younger than 17 constitutes third-degree rape.

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Dist. Atty. Thomas P. Zugibe, in a statement, called Taylor ‘the end-user in the criminal chain known as sex trafficking’ and said his office was ‘going to hold those who create the demand accountable.’

Taylor’s attorney did not respond to Associated Press calls seeking comment.

The Hall of Famer was arrested early May 6 at a Rockland, N.Y., Holiday Inn. According to local police, the alleged victim was a runaway -- 15 when she was reported missing -- and said a pimp was involved in bringing her to the motel.

Taylor’s wife, Lynette, said she believed her husband was set up. Lawrence Taylor, who is out on $75,000 bail and has not yet been arraigned, faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted, the D.A. said.

He’s due in court July 13.

-- Christie D’Zurilla

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