A former Massachusetts police officer has been arrested and accused of raping a young child.
Police say Thursday's arrest is the culmination of a 10-month long investigation into former Amesbury Police Sergeant David Connor.
The 62-year-old who worked as an Amesbury police officer from 1977-1991 was in handcuffs and facing a judge Thursday on several charges, including aggravated rape and child abuse, indecent exposure and child pornography.
The investigation started last August, police say when the then-7-year-old alleged victim, who is known to the defendant, reported that Connor sexually assaulted her over the course of several years.
"The child described a number of incidents that happened over the past three or four years at defendant's home in the bedroom or in the living room," said Essex County prosecutor Maura Bailey.
Defense attorney Bill Crowe responded, saying, "There is no corroborative medical evidence to support these allegations."
Prosecutors say detectives discovered 24 videos of child pornography on the defendant's computer. Bailey said the alleged victim's report suggests Connor watched these videos with the child present.
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"She described him masturbating as he sat watching movies of naked people," Bailey said.
In a statement, Amesbury Police Chief Kevin Ouellet said, "This is a tragic situation where the suspect is accused of horrific acts against a child. I want to acknowledge the work of the Amesbury Police Department during this investigation. We will continue to work collaboratively until justice is served in this case."
Connor is being held on $500,000 bail, $50,000 cash. He's due back in court on June 25.
