A Wittenberg University professor accused of kidnapping and raping a 19-year-old man is claiming he had a consensual relationship with his accuser.

The trial for Hollant “Max” Adrien on one charge each of rape and kidnapping began Wednesday. After two unsuccessful attempts to select jurors, he waived his right to a trial by jury, opting instead to have Clark County Common Pleas Judge Douglas Rastatter decide the case in a bench trial.

Adrien is accused of kidnapping and raping the 19-year-old on Aug. 23. The victim, described by police as developmentally disabled, told officers he was walking near Pine and Kenton streets when a man approached him in a vehicle and told him, “If you don’t get in the car, I’m going to shoot you,” Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Driscoll said.

The man then reportedly drove the teen to New Reid Park off Leffel Lane, where he allegedly raped him, Driscoll said. Then, the suspect allegedly drove the victim back to Pine and Kenton streets, gave him $10 and told him to return to the intersection the next day or he would hurt him, the prosecution said.

“We believe this individual sought out (the victim), and perpetrated a sexual assault on this 19-year-old man,” Driscoll said.

Jon Doughty, Adrien’s attorney, said it was a consensual relationship. He said Adrien met the teen while driving around Springfield, and the two had several encounters prior to having sex. He said his client never produced a gun nor threatened the victim.

“I believe once the court has heard all this evidence, the court will conclude that this was consensual sexual conduct between two males,” Doughty said. “There was no kidnapping in this case. There was no rape.”

When Adrien was arrested in August, he was charged with additional counts connected to two other attacks on young men. However, those cases were dropped, according to court records.

Witness testimony will continue Thursday. Adrien is expected to take the stand in his own defense. He was placed on leave from Wittenberg when he was arrested.