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Last updated on Friday, July 17, 2015
(EVANSVILLE) - A soldier who was stationed at Fort Campbell is accused of crossing state lines to pursue a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
WFIE reports that on Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced criminal charges against 32-year-old Guangyu Ai of Arcadia, California.
Ai pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance in Evansville.
During that hearing, the judge ordered that the documents pertaining to his case be unsealed.
According to the criminal complaint, Ai met the girl through a social media application and continued to communicate with her via text messages.
Prosecutors say Ai pursued a sexual relationship with the girl, even though he knew she was only 13-years-old.
Court documents indicate Ai traveled from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to the girl's home in southern Indiana multiple times.
Prosecutors say on at least one occasion, Ai picked up the girl and took her to a hotel in Kentucky.
We're told the alleged contact occurred between February and March of 2015.
Prosecutors say the investigation started when the victim's family alerted authorities.
Ai was indicted on one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and four counts of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Ai's trial is scheduled for September 15.
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