WICHITA FALLS, Texas (AP) - The defense has begun presenting its case today in the Sheppard Air Force Base court-martial of an Air Force colonel charged with rape.

That's after prosecutors rested after a high-ranking enlisted member testified she was the target of repeated sexually suggestive comments by Col. Samuel Lofton III.

The woman said she initially wasn't offended and thought Lofton was joking, but she later came to think it "creepy" when he began calling her after hours.

Lofton was the 82nd Training Group commander then at Sheppard near Wichita Falls. He's on trial on a rape count, four of indecent assault and two of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to life in prison.

On Monday, two civilian workers who say Lofton forced himself on them, including one who says he also raped her. They told the military jury they were intimidated and afraid of losing their jobs at Sheppard Air Force Base.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-06-24-08 1255EDT