Lexington officer pleads not guilty to misconduct charges

The attorney for a Lexington police sergeant accused of receiving sexual favors entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at an arraignment hearing Monday.

Sgt. Robert Dale Brown is charged with one count of first-degree official misconduct and two counts of second-degree official misconduct for allegedly failing to charge a woman who had drug paraphernalia in her purse, then taking her to a remote area in Fayette County for sexual favors, according to court documents.

During that incident, Brown also is accused of charging a man with a traffic violation Brown did not witness, and failing to charge the man after finding pills in his pocket.

Brown was not in court Monday. Louisville attorney Steve Schroering appeared on his behalf.

After the hearing, Schroering said Brown "adamantly" denied the accusations.

"Obviously the allegations are very serious," he said. "Officer Brown maintains his innocence of these charges and looks forward to having his day in court."

Brown was charged after an investigation by the police department's Internal Affairs Unit. The incident that led to the charges occurred on Dec. 9, according to court documents. On July 12, Brown was relieved of sworn duty and suspended without pay.

Brown's next court hearing was scheduled for Aug. 28.

This story was originally published August 13, 2012 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Lexington officer pleads not guilty to misconduct charges."