A trial date has been set for Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer, who has been charged with two misdemeanors over his confrontation with a Black Newspaper carrier, according to the Seattle Times.
That date is set for July 11.
Troyer faces a count of false reporting and another count of making a false statement to a civil servant, claiming to an emergency dispatcher that newspaper carrier Sedrick Altheimer threatened to kill him during a January confrontation.
The charges were filed in Pierce County District Court. If convicted, Troyer would face up to 364 days in jail and up to a $5,000 fine, according to a release from the attorney general.
The charges stem from a criminal investigation that Gov. Jay Inslee referred to the attorney general’s office April 24.
Altheimer was working his regular delivery route Jan. 27 when Troyer began following him in his car around 2 a.m.
Altheimer continued working the route, noticing that a car was following him. After stopping at a house, Altheimer approached the car to find out why he was being followed.
Altheimer went up to the car and began talking to Troyer, whom he did not recognize as the sheriff. He asked Troyer if he was a cop, and Troyer did not identify himself as law enforcement, according to the AG’s office.
Troyer continued to ask Altheimer questions and accused him of being a thief, documents say. Altheimer returned to his car and drove away and Troyer continued following.
Around 2:05 a.m., Troyer called 911 and reported that he caught someone in his driveway who “just threatened to kill me,” according to 911 records.
Over 40 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded. Altheimer denied making any threats to Troyer, blocking Troyer’s car or entering his driveway.
When questioned that night, Troyer walked back his initial claim that Altheimer had threatened him, according to police reports.
Altheimer later filed a lawsuit for $5 million, claiming he was racially profiled by the Pierce County sheriff. He claimed his constitutional rights were violated and he suffered severe emotional distress.
Troyer has consistently denied allegations of racism.
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