Blade photographer pleads not guilty to misconduct

1/16/2001

TIFFIN - A Blade photographer who was arrested at a fire in downtown Tiffin pleaded not guilty yesterday to a charge of misconduct at an emergency scene.

Herral Long, 71, of Toledo, faces a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted of the first-degree misdemeanor. Mr. Long will appear in Tiffin Municipal Court on Feb. 16 for a pretrial hearing and again on March 23 for his trial.

Tiffin police accused Mr. Long of crossing the yellow and black caution tape around the fire at 210 East Market St. Jan. 9 and disobeying a police officer's order to leave the area. The police complaint stated that Mr. Long refused to cooperate with police or produce identification.

Mr. Long denies the charges. He is being represented by Toledo attorney Robert Kaplan.