BORDERLAND

Officer pleads not guilty to domestic violence

11/16/2013

A Toledo police officer facing a domestic violence charge pleaded not guilty Friday in Toledo Municipal Court.

A next court date for Officer Jeremy Berndt, 39, has not yet been scheduled.

Officer Berndt, a nearly 10-year veteran of the department, was charged Nov. 5 for allegedly assaulting Laurie Lewis, whom the officer lives with, according to court records.

The officer was initially relieved of duty with pay, but on Nov. 6 removed himself from the department's payroll, police said.

In court documents, police allege that the veteran officer grabbed Ms. Lewis by her arms and threw her into a wall, knocking her down. Records state the victim was grabbed by the wrists and repeatedly shoved into a kitchen counter.