MIAMI COUNTY — On Tuesday, the first day of witness testimony began for a former West Milton Police Officer accused of rape.

Kevin Wright, 34, of West Milton, entered a plea of not guilty on three counts of first-degree rape of a minor under the age of 13 in February 2020 following an indictment by a grand jury. The alleged sexual assault incidents occurred from Aug. 1, 2017, to June 1, 2018; from Aug. 1, 2018, to June 1, 2019; and on Dec. 8, 2019. The victim was 11 years old and known to Wright.

Bond was set at $200,000 and was posted with conditions, including having no contact with the victim.

Counsel for the defendant is Jay Lopez and Andrew Pratt. Miami County Prosecutor Tony Kendell represents the state in this case.

The jury heard testimony from the alleged victim, now 13, Covington Police Department’s Sgt. Tim Cline, a juvenile friend of the victim who reported the incident, a junior high math teacher, Miami County Sheriff’s Office Dect. Lt. Jason Moore, and the victim’s grandfather in Miami County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday.

Wright was also a police officer in Covington prior to being employed at West Milton. He resigned from the West Milton Police Department in June 2020.

An issue of a subpoenaed witness allegedly watching the court proceeding online was in question Tuesday afternoon. After being questioned by Judge Stacy Wall, it was determined the witness, the alleged victim’s grandfather, was not watching online. Judge Wall reminded the witness that at no time were they to watch proceedings online or converse about the trial through its duration.

Witness testimony will continue Wednesday.