Washougal Mayor Sean Guard has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a police officer in Cowlitz County, court officials said.
Guard’s attorney, Luka Vitasovic, filed a notice of appearance with court officials Tuesday, allowing Guard to not make his scheduled court appearance Wednesday.
Guard is charged with criminal impersonation in the second-degree of a law enforcement officer in connection with a December incident where he allegedly used emergency lights on a city-owned vehicle to pass slower-moving traffic on Interstate 5 near Kelso. The gross misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Guard issued a written apology letter shortly after being charged by Cowlitz County prosecutors last month. He has declined comment about the incident since being charged.
Cowlitz County District Court Judge David Koss set Guard’s next hearing for Aug. 31 and his jury trial for Sept. 23.
