(Photo courtesy of Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

Chris Simcox.

A former border vigilante on trial for sex crimes is expected to testify in his own defense next week.

Chris Simcox is a founder of the Minuteman movement, was a candidate for U.S. Senate and a former elementary school teacher. He’s representing himself against charges that he sexually abused young girls.

The state rested its case against Simcox on Tuesday. But Maricopa County Attorney’s Office says the defense has been “disorganized” with witnesses and there was only 45 minutes of testimony on Wednesday and Thursday.

During opening arguments, Simcox told the jury that he’d been targeted for his political beliefs, and he was “really angry about being falsely accused.”