By Associated Press - Tuesday, June 18, 2019

EL CENTRO, Calif. (AP) - The mayor of the Southern California city of El Centro has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence following his arrest last month.

Prosecutors allege Mayor Edgard Garcia had a blood alcohol level nearly double the legal limit when he was pulled over May 7 by an El Centro police officer.

KSWT-TV reports Garcia was arraigned Tuesday morning.



The news station cites police records that say Garcia refused to a take a field sobriety test.

He is expected back in court August 5.

El Centro is a city of 42,000 people about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego.

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