State police sergeant enters not guilty plea

By Jen Lynds
Bangor Daily News reporter
    HOULTON — An attorney for a Maine State Police sergeant summoned in late June for operating her state police cruiser while under the influence of alcohol has entered a not guilty plea on her behalf.
    Aroostook County Assistant District Attorney Kurt Kafferlin said last week that Sgt. Julie Bergan’s attorney, Michael Harman of Millinocket, issued the plea in writing rather than appearing on Aug. 7 for her arraignment.
    Kafferlin said the move is quite common in cases where a defendant retains counsel before arraignment.
    The 54-year-old was issued a summons for OUI after she allegedly failed field sobriety and blood alcohol content tests at the Houlton barracks, state police Lt. Col. Raymond Bessette said last month.
    Bergan is a 24-year veteran of the Maine State Police.
    Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins said this week that he would not be releasing Bergan’s blood alcohol content.
    Collins said Bergan has requested a jury trial. Bergan is on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation conducted by Lt. Erik Baker, who heads the Internal Affairs Division at state police headquarters in Augusta, Bessette said.