CHARLOTTE -- A suspended Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer was in court on Thursday, accused of first-degree sexual offense and first-degree kidnapping while on duty as an officer.

When rumors began circulating that Joseph Anthony might be offered a plea deal, the alleged victim in the case came forward, saying any lesser charges would be unfair to her.

“He’s supposed to serve and protect,” said Kelly Cooper, who claims that Anthony raped her after being called to her east Charlotte apartment on November 27 for a missing persons complaint.

"There was no consent whatsoever,” said Cooper. “I never agreed to anything sexually with this man and never will. No means no.”

Cooper said that she was at first scared to report the assault because she was afraid no one would believe her. “When he first raped me, I did not want to go and tell anybody. Like he told me, nobody would believe me.”

Cooper’s sister eventually came forward, and Anthony was indicted in January for first-degree sex offense and kidnapping. CMPD placed him on unpaid administrative leave, and a few weeks ago asked the civil service board for his termination.

Now, Cooper said she has heard that Anthony was going to get a plea deal for lesser charges.

“I feel like my rights have been completely taken away,” she said. “I have no rights here at all. I see no justice here. I wonder if this plea would have been given to a regular civilian."

Anthony was in court on Thursday, but the district attorney’s office says it was for administrative purposes only. They did not comment at the time regarding any plea deal.

Anthony’s attorney, George Laughrun, said negotiations are under way with the district attorney, but will not comment on what those negotiations entail. Anthony, who spoke to News 14 Carolina by phone, said he will save his comments for when he appears in court. Court documents say he is set to be in court on April 1.

News 14 Carolina’s typical policy is to not identify a victim of a sexual assault. In this case, the alleged victim wanted to come forward to protect other potential victims.