Just to show how progressive we’ve become, only a few decades ago, this guy would have been found hanging from a tree limb, with someone in a white hood playing Dixie on the harmonica.

CLEARWATER, Florida – It was a late night for jurors in one high-profile trial, but they eventually returned a not guilty verdict for a man accused of sexual battery and human trafficking.

Colin Dyer [pictured] was accused of assaulting a 19-year-old girl and holding her captive at a beachfront home on Treasure Island. Prosecutors also said Dyer forced the girl to work in a strip club and perform sexual favors

Dyer, 37, maintained his innocence throughout the case and testified in his own defense Thursday. On the stand, he said if the woman had been held captive, there were plenty of chances for her to escape.

The woman, who took the stand earlier in the week, said Dyer was second in command in what prosecutors called a human trafficking operation.

Dyer’s defense attorneys portrayed the woman as “a good actress” and continuously said that her story did not add up.

The jury began deliberations around 6 p.m. Thursday and returned the verdict about 5 hours later.

Had he been convicted, Dyer would have faced up to 60 years in prison.

Kenyatta Cornelius, Edward Jones, and Corinna Shaffer are also facing charges in the case; Dyer was the first to come to trial.