A 78-year-old Warren man could face a sentence of life in prison after being convicted of raping a 9-year-old girl.

After deliberating less than three hours Tuesday afternoon, a jury in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court returned a guilty verdict against Jose Gaetan on two counts of rape, and five counts of gross sexual imposition. Gaetan was found "not guilty" on one count of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.

The charges came after an incident involving the girl at Gaetan’s Federal St NW home in February of last year.

After the verdict was read, Jose Gaetan, left, was taken away in handcuffs.

Sentencing in the case is set for February 8. Gaetan could face life in prison..

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman said it was the young victim’s testimony that was especially convincing. Wildman says the grooming all began with Gaetan showering with the victim when she was just five years old.

Other testimony came from the victim's parents, as well as Warren detective Nick Carney who had interviewed Gaetan via a video which was played for the jurors.

"Ultimately, the victim in this case is the reason we were able to obtain a conviction. She showed incredible courage taking the stand to tell the truth about what this man did to her," Wildman said.