MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - An off-duty Memphis cop arrested on Beale Street over the weekend maintained his innocence in court Monday morning.
Lakendus Cole was arrested Sunday, August 26 as officers cleared party goers from Beale Street.
Cole, 30, is an officer with the Organized Crime Unit and has been with the Memphis Police Department since May 2006.
Cole entered a not guilty plea. He's facing charges of Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest and Vandalism of a police squad car.
It happened early Sunday morning around 4 a.m. According to a police affidavit, Cole and another man, 25-year-old Darnell Tennial, were outside of Club 152 and would not comply with police when they were told to go back inside the club or leave.
Police say a struggle ensued when they tried to detain the men and Cole ended up damaging a police vehicle.
Cole's lawyer, Leslie Ballin, doesn't buy it. "Over the last few months I've had clients arrested on Beale Street, and I look at the police report and I ask myself, 'Are you kidding?'" he said. "So we're going to deal with this and get Mr. Cole exonerated and get him back to work protecting us."
Lakendus Cole has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. He is due back in court in September.
Darnell Tennial was charged with Disorderly Conduct and has since been released from jail on $500 bond.
