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Palmdale Man, 34, Faces Human Trafficking Charges

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — A 34-year-old Palmdale man is facing human trafficking charges.

Dwight Lamith Garris pleaded not guilty Friday to one count each of human trafficking of a minor, pandering and pimping of a minor. He's being held on $50,000 bail.

Garris was caught after he allegedly contacted an undercover Anaheim investigator posing on Facebook as a 17-year-old girl. The defendant is accused of trying to get the "teen" to work for him as a prostitute and to recruit others to do the same thing, according to the Orange County district attorney's office.

Garris, who could face up to 12 years in prison if he's convicted, is due back in court April 28.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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