The case against a former police officer and unsuccessful 2006 candidate for Covington County sheriff is one of two sex abuse cases on next week’s criminal court docket.

Kevin Owens, who was 39 when he was charged in June of 2007, faces charge of sex abuse in the first degree, rape, sodomy and intimidating a witness.

He was arrested after the grand jury returned an indictment alleging he engaged in sexual intercourse with a female by forcible compulsion and subjected a child less than 12 years old to sexual conduct – two separate charges stemming from incidents with two victims.

Owens, a Democratic candidate in the 2006 sheriff’s race, received just over 1 percent of the 5,049 votes cast in June’s primary election and served as a police officer with the Andalusia, Gantt and Opp police departments prior to the accusations being made against him.

Covington County district attorney Greg Grambril said Owens case should begin Wednesday if the case against Robert Dennis Lolley, charged with sex abuse and sodomy, is completed by then. Lolley’s case begins Monday morning.

Judge Ashley McKathan will hear both cases.

Owens’ attorney is Robert C. King. Lolley is represented by David Harrison.