After deliberating for about nine hours, an Osceola County jury found Loomes Wheeler Jr. guilty on seven charges, including child molestation and battery.

Wheeler, 71, was accused of raping two young girls and then cutting off his GPS monitor before fleeing to the Bahamas. He faced a total of nine charges, and he was found guilty on three counts of battery, two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct.

A sentencing hearing has been set for 1:30 p.m. May 22.

The jury began deliberations around noon Friday. Throughout the day, jurors asked the judge questions and also asked to re-listen to testimony from victims. A verdict was reached just after 9 p.m.

Wheeler showed no emotion as the verdict was read Friday night.

Regardless, both sides said they were not expecting this outcome.

"It's an inconsistent verdict to be sure," said defense attorney Michael Sigman. "The counts that the jury dealt with — they either believe the girl, they don't believe the girl. There's really no evidence. So, I'm really not sure how they arrived at the conclusion."

"It was a surprise to me, but justice was served either way," said prosecutor Gabrielle Sanders.

He was initially arrested in April 2013. He escaped to the Bahamas after posting bond, but he was rearrested a year later, in April 2014.

In April 2013, police said a 9-year-old girl said she was battered by Wheeler starting at the age of 4. Police then searched Wheeler's home and business at Horse World, snatching up cell phones, cameras and storage devices. They arrested him the next day. During that time, a 20-year-old also came forward and said Wheeler molested her when she was a child.

Wheeler posted bond a few days later, but he was fitted with an ankle bracelet. Investigators said Wheeler cut the anklet off in September and fled the country.

Wheeler took the stand in his own defense Thursday and said he fled to the Bahamas because he was scared of spending the rest of his life in prison.