NEW YORK -- Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was indicted Wednesday by a suburban New York grand jury on charges of third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute.

The indictment follows his May 6 arrest at a Holiday Inn in Ramapo, N.Y., where prosecutors say he paid a 16-year-old girl $300 to have sex with him.

Taylor had been charged previously in Ramapo Town Court, but the indictment transfers the case to Rockland County. He is scheduled to appear July 13.

The former New York Giants linebacker also was indicted on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse and criminal sexual act in the third degree. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted. He has denied the charges.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said the 16-year-old told investigators that she had been verbally threatened and physically assaulted by a pimp who drove her 26 miles north to the hotel where Taylor was waiting.

"One of the most effective ways to target prostitution is to go after the johns," Zugibe said. "This indictment underscores our serious commitment to prosecuting those defendants who create a market for the region's growing sex trade."

Taylor's attorney reiterated his client's innocence Wednesday.

"Mr. Taylor and his legal team made a strategic decision not to present any evidence to the grand jury, including him testifying or any witnesses in his defense," said defense attorney Arthur Aidala.

At a late afternoon news conference in lower Manhattan, Aidala said that Taylor was prepared for the indictment.

"We've spoken about this at length," he said.

Aidala said he does not know what evidence was presented by prosecutors to the grand jury, but he said there is more to his defense than meets the eye.

"Our defense does not consist only of Lawrence Taylor and his words and his actions," Aidala said. "We have other evidence -- I'm not going to talk about what other evidence it is -- but it's not just going to be 'he said she said.' It's going to be independent, corroborated evidence that we will be putting forth in Lawrence Taylor's defense."

Of the specific charges, Aidala said: "I am saying that he did not have sexual intercourse as defined by the penal code."

He added that he did not expect a plea bargain.