MONTGOMERY COUNTY — A Waynesville police officer will face criminal charges after a grand jury indicted him on multiple sex charges, according to the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office.
>>PREVIOUS REPORT: Allegations of rape, sex charges involving Waynesville officer involve 8 women
Peyton J. Kocevar, 22, of Centerville was indicted Friday by a Montgomery County grand jury on seven counts of rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition, officials said.
According to court records, the alleged crimes occurred while Kocevar was a student at Alter High school between 2012 and 2016. Prosecutors allege he raped multiple victims during this time.
“I commend and support the many victims who have come forward to disclose incidents where this defendant forced himself upon them.” Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney Mat Heck said in a media release. “I continue to encourage anyone, who has been abused by this defendant, to contact the Centerville Police Department.”
Earlier this month, two women reported rapes that were said to have happened at an apartment in Centerville between 2014 and 2016, court records show.
Following the first two reports, six other women reported rapes as well. Those six victims told police the rapes happened in addresses in both Centerville and Kettering between 2012 and 2016.
None of the crimes Kocevar is currently accused of committing happened on Alter High School property, prosecutors previously said. The school previously declined to comment on the case.
Kocevar has been a reserve Waynesville police officer since September 2019.
Waynesville Police Chief Gary Copeland said the department was made aware by Centerville police last week of an investigation involving Kocevar. The department immediately removed him from the schedule and Kocevar is not being paid, Copeland said.
Kocevar will be arraigned on the charges July 9. He is not currently listed as an inmate in the Montgomery County Jail. During his initial court appearance last week, Kocevar’s bond was set at $500,000 and he was ordered not to be in contact with any minors or witnesses.
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