With his attorney, Dennis Sipe, left, Belpre Police Department Detective David Garvey listens to proceedings Wednesday during his arraignment before Judge Ed Lane in Washington County Common Pleas Court.

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The charges and possible penalties

Former Belpre police Detective David Garvey is charged with:

¯ Fifth-degree felony obstruction of justice; up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

¯ Fifth-degree felony theft in office; up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.

¯ Third-degree felony tampering with evidence; up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

¯ Third-degree felony bribery; up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Before bribery and theft in office charges were recently levied against former Belpre police Detective David Garvey, he was the front-runner to take over when the current chief retires, his attorney said.

It could be motive for someone to try to tarnish the reputation of the veteran police officer, he said.

“I am very disturbed by the timing of some of the accusations,” said Dennis Sipe, Garvey’s attorney. “We are at a point where there could soon be a change in leadership at the Belpre Police Department, and there was a perception that (Garvey) was a front-runner for one of those positions.”

On Wednesday, Garvey, 54, pleaded not guilty to four felony charges that leave him facing 12 years in prison and $25,000 in fines if convicted. He was a 17-year member of the department and resigned last week after being indicted on the charges.

Other than entering pleas, Garvey did not comment during his 1:30 p.m. arraignment in Washington County Common Pleas Court.

Sipe said he would vigorously defend against the allegations.

“These charges are absolutely wrong,” Sipe said outside the hearing. “He committed no crime.”

A July 7 trial date has been set on the matter before Judge Ed Lane.

Garvey has been on paid administrative leave from the department since Jan. 2. The investigation into the alleged misconduct began last summer.

The charges allege drugs are missing from a June 18 case Garvey handled. Also, prosecutors say it appears Garvey accepted a bribe to dismiss a case in March 2004.

Belpre police Chief Ira Walker was out of the office Wednesday due to a family emergency and could not be reached for comment.

Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz said Garvey resigned Friday, four days after he was indicted by a Washington County grand jury.

“Dave came in and resigned. It is my understanding he has elected to retire,” Lorentz said.

Specifically, Garvey was charged with fifth-degree felony obstruction of justice, fifth-degree felony theft in office, third-degree felony tampering with evidence and third-degree felony bribery.

An internal investigation launched last summer at the Belpre Police Department raised concerns about Garvey. The case was then forwarded on Sept. 4 to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, a special investigative unit of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Garvey remains free on a personal recognizance bond while awaiting trial.