AUGUSTA (AP) — A former Maine prison guard from Vassalboro is on trial for allegedly sexually touching a young girl starting when she was 11 years old.

Travis Lyon, who worked at the Maine State Prison in Warren when he was indicted in February, pleaded not guilty to unlawful sexual contact and has been free on bail pending trial, which started Monday in Kennebec County Superior Court.

The Kennebec Journal (http://bit.ly/1rx6WPx ) reported that the 37-year-old Lyon took the stand in his own defense and said he was “stunned” when initially charged, and he denies the allegations.

Prosecutors say he touched the girl several times between March 2011 and August 2013 starting when she was 11. She is now 14.

Lyon’s lawyer said there are no witnesses and no physical evidence in the case.