FARMINGTON – Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Chase has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating under the influence.

Chase’s attorney, Woody Hanstein, entered the plea for the deputy in a letter filed with the court last fall.

A Wilton police officer stopped the off-duty Chase, who was on vacation, on a traffic infraction during the evening hours of Nov. 21, 2008, on Route 2 in Wilton. During the stop, Chase showed signs of alcohol consumption and was arrested, Sheriff Dennis Pike has said.

The state’s complaint filed in court on Jan. 16 claims Chase operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants. It also states he failed to submit to a test at the request of a law enforcement officer.

Hanstein wrote a letter dated Nov. 25, 2008, to the 12th District Court in Farmington, waiving formal arraignment and asking that the not guilty plea be entered on his behalf.

Chase was scheduled to be arraigned on the charge Thursday.

Hanstein also asked that the matter be transferred to Franklin County Superior Court in Farmington for a jury trial.

Chase, 33, of Wilton, remains on paid administrative leave, Franklin County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum said. Chase was placed on leave until the matter is resolved in the courts, Pike said.

Meldrum said an internal investigation was conducted. A report will be sent to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, as required.

“I know that Chris is very hopeful of getting this resolved as quickly as possible and hopefully returning to law enforcement,” Hanstein said. “In my 25 years of doing work like this, I can’t remember ever representing anyone about whom people universally hold in such high esteem. I am certainly hopeful that his fine reputation will make resolving this case as easy as possible on everyone.”

Somerset County Assistant District Attorney Brent Davis in Skowhegan is handling the case for the state. He was in court Wednesday and District Attorney Evert Fowle was not in the office.

Chase, a police dog handler, joined the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department in 2006 after serving as a deputy with the Kennebec Sheriff’s Department. He was shot in the line of duty while assisting at a domestic violence call in Winslow in 2005. His bulletproof vest stopped the bullet just below his throat.

Prior to that Chase had served on the Farmington Police Department and for a short time as the resource officer at Mt. Blue High School. He also served on the Wilton Police Department.

There is no date set on the jury trial.