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LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. – A Lauderdale County grand jury convened by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office has indicted a Florence attorney and a second man on human trafficking charges.

Attorney Edward “Chip” Dillard, 51, and Tim Staggs, 83, were arrested and booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Center on multiple human trafficking charges Thursday.

Dillard is being held on a $500,000 cash only bond and Staggs is being held on a $300,000 cash bond.

The indictment charges Dillard with seven counts of human trafficking in the second-degree, four counts of conspiracy to commit human trafficking in the second-degree, one count of sexual abuse in the second-degree, two counts of making terroristic threats and one count of intimidating a witness. Staggs is charged, in the same indictment, with five counts of human trafficking in the second-degree and four counts of conspiracy to commit human trafficking.

Dillard and Staggs are accused of using various methods to take advantage of young female victims in the Lauderdale County area.

“Although we cannot provide other details at this time, I want to stress that this is an ongoing investigation,” said Attorney General Strange. “We ask anyone who has information related to possible crimes by these two men, to please come forward. I want also to thank those involved in bringing this case, which was a cooperative effort by my office and numerous agencies.” The Attorney General’s Office may be contacted by calling (334) 242-7300.

The possible penalties are two to 20 years for each count of human trafficking in the second-degree, a class B felony; one to 10 years for each count of conspiracy to commit human trafficking in the second-degree, a class C felony; one to 10 years for making a terroristic threat, a class C felony; up to one year for sexual abuse in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor; and one to 10 years for intimidating a witness, a class C felony.