Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeffrey S. Humphrey pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of first-degree criminal trespassing, domestic violence, in Lewis County District Court. 

Humphrey, represented by defense attorney Don Blair, had his hearing before Judge R.W. Buzzard on Wednesday, Jan. 22, following a week-long delay due to a recusal from a different judge. 

All parties agreed Wednesday to allow Humphrey to remain out of custody on his own personal recognizance for the duration of his case. His conditions of release include provisions prohibiting him from consuming drugs or alcohol and from committing any new law violations. 

Humphrey is also generally prohibited from having contact with the victim, but Buzzard granted an exception for written communications regarding their ongoing divorce. All communication between the two parties must be preserved until the case is resolved, Buzzard ruled. 

Humphrey and the victim are also allowed to have in-person contact during mandatory appearances in Family Court. 

“I know my client will follow all the conditions that are set out by the court,” Blair said during Humphrey’s hearing on Wednesday. 

Humphrey’s next court appearance is a pretrial hearing scheduled for Feb. 26.

Humphrey, 51, of Chehalis, was charged Jan. 6 after the Mason County Sheriff’s Office completed a third-party investigation into allegations that Humphrey broke into his estranged wife’s home twice on Nov. 12. 

Humphrey is currently on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation into the allegations, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.  

“No further comments will be made until that investigation is completed,” the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release on Jan. 10. 

Humphrey has worked for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office for at least 20 years, according to previous Chronicle reporting.

Blair previously represented Humphrey in a 2013 DUI case. In that case, Humphrey was convicted for driving through a road closure on Labree Road and Interstate 5 in Chehalis with a blood alcohol content between .143 and .159, according to previous Chronicle reporting. Humphrey was off duty at the time of the incident. 

Humphrey ultimately received a deferred sentence in Lewis County District Court and was put on a two-week, unpaid suspension from the sheriff’s office, according to previous Chronicle reporting.