Two Northeast Ohio officers, including Portage County deputy Daniel LaJack, have pleaded not guilty to charges of abduction, ethnic intimidation and assault following an incident at a Medina County bar.

The charges stem from an incident at a local sports bar in Hinckley Township late April, when the officers detained a truck driver they claimed was in the country illegally, except this detainment happened without evidence.

LaJack’s attorney said his client regrets what he said during the arrest, which was caught on body cam footage, but claims that the actions shown in the video were not illegal.

The Portage County Sheriff’s Department continues to employ LaJack, but he is currently serving 60 days on unpaid leave.

He is scheduled to return to court January 26 for a pretrial hearing.

Lex Radde is a reporter for KSTV. Contact her at [email protected]