PORTLAND – A Maine firefighter stands accused of sexually abusing two teenage girls who participated in a youth firefighter program in Cumberland.

Craig Rawnsley of North Yarmouth was indicted Thursday on eight felony counts and four misdemeanor counts under the indictments. Police said he sexually abused two girls who participated in Cumberland’s Fire Explorers program, which provides training for people ages 14 to 21.

Defense attorney Thom Hallett said the girls fabricated the charges.

Rawnsley, who is a full-time firefighter in Portland, has been on paid administrative leave since his arrest in October. He also is on administrative leave in Cumberland, where he has volunteered since he was a teenager.