Mount Desert officer pleads innocent in OUI

BAR HARBOR – Mount Desert police Officer Troy Cleaves entered a not guilty plea Thursday on a charge of operating under the influence of intoxicants.

District Court clerk Cheryl Tims said Cleaves entered his plea via letter though his attorney, Steven Juskewitch of Ellsworth.

A trial before a judge is set for Feb. 28, Tims said.

Cleaves, 35, has been convicted twice of drunken driving since 1992. Mount Desert officials knew of his record when they hired him last January. Prior to working for Mount Desert, Cleaves was hired by Swans Island as its only officer. Officials there also knew of Cleaves’ record.

Cleaves was arrested by Bar Harbor police Nov. 17 after he lost control of his car and struck a mailbox and utility pole in the village of Town Hill. Police say Cleaves’ blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when they tested him after the crash.

Mount Desert officials say Cleaves has been a good officer. He remains on the job and no decision on his fate will be made by town officials until after his trial, officials have said.