A second man has been charged in the 2017 rape and kidnapping of a 13-year-old runaway late in Auburn.

Auburn police on Monday announced the charges against 36-year-old Corey Heard, who already was in the Lee County Jail on an unrelated charge. He is now charged with first-degree human trafficking, kidnapping and rape. He also has an unrelated charge for breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.

Earlier this month, authorities announced the arrest of 37-year-old Brian D. Askew in connection with the attack on the girl.

Authorities said they launched an investigation into the reported sexual assault of the girl, who had fled the Lee County Youth Development Center in October. After the girl left the nonprofit center, which provides a variety of services to kids and their families, she was picked up by several men in a vehicle and taken to an Auburn home. While at the residence, she was held against her will and sexually assaulted.

Police said they were able to identify Askew as being one of the offenders. He was taken into custody at his home by Auburn police and the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Askew is charged with first-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping. He is being held in the Lee County Jail on $150,000 bond.

Brian Askew

Auburn police Capt. Lorenza Dorsey on Monday said Heard was subsequently developed as a suspect by police and identified as being involved in the sexual assault of the victim along with Askew at his home. The investigation is ongoing by Auburn police and the Lee County Department of Human Resources, and more arrests are expected.

Heard's bond is set at $100,000.