MITCH CASEY The Marietta Times Former Belpre Police detective David Garvey, left, confers with his attorney, Dennis Sipe, during a short recess at the opening day of his trial before Judge Ed Lane.

A former Belpre police detective is standing trial this week, accused of using his position to keep a friend from being prosecuted and to obtain funds for the police department by intimidation. David Garvey, 54, was a 17-year member of the Belpre Police Department and is facing 12 years in prison and $25,000 in fines, if convicted. Garvey retired from the police department in April after he was indicted. Testimony in the trial is expected to resume at 9 a.m. today before Judge Ed Lane in Washington County Common Pleas Court. Garvey’s attorney, Dennis Sipe, said his client was “being railroaded” by other officers who, along with Garvey, were up for promotion. He said Garvey committed no crime. “There could have been a mistake made, but not a criminal act. Simply a mistake,” Sipe said. Special Prosecutor Richard Ross, of Morgan County, told jurors that drugs are missing from a June 18, 2007, case Garvey handled.