OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) — A former Louisiana police officer charged with malfeasance in the alleged beating last year of a young man at a hospital has entered a plea in the case.

Tyron Andrepont, 49, a former sergeant with the Opelousas Police Department, appeared Thursday for his arraignment before state District Judge Gerard Caswell, KATC-TV reported. He waived his right to a formal reading of the charges and entered a plea of not guilty to five counts of malfeasance in office, the television station said.

Andrepont has been free on $25,000 bond following his arrest in June for allegedly using excessive force against Jonah Coleman, 21, while Coleman was undergoing treatment at Opelousas General Hospital in October 2019. If convicted, Andrepont faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000 on each charge.

The Opelousas City Council in July voted unanimously to terminate Andrepont’s employment with the police department. The council previously moved to reject Andrepont’s resignation.

Andrepont’s next hearing is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 21.