Aaron Knapp pleads not guilty to six misdemeanors in Lorain Municipal Court (VIDEO)

LORAIN — A former Lorain City Council candidate accused of criminally harassing city officials, violating a protection order against him and disturbing a lawful meeting, among other charges, was arraigned Wednesday morning in Lorain Municipal Court. Arraigned via video from the Lorain County Jail, Aaron Knapp, 52, of Talbot Lane, pleaded not guilty to three counts of telecommunications harassment and one count each of violating a protection order, possession of criminal tools and disturbing a lawful meeting, all misdemeanors. He posted $17,500 bond and was released from the jail at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office. Protection orders were requested on behalf of three more alleged victims — City Councilwoman Mary Springowski, D-at Large; resident Lorraine Ritchey; and Debora Bradley, wife of Mayor Jack Bradley. An existing civil stalking protection order is in place against Knapp on behalf of Lorain city Safety/Service Director Rey Carrion. City Prosecutor Mallory Santiago said Knapp was showing "quite frankly, very concerning, erratic and escalating behavior" including "menacing" Lorain police officers who arrested him on Tuesday. The Lorain City Prosecutor's Office recommended the bond on the condition Knapp cooperated with the booking process at the Lorain County Jail. He had refused to have his photo taken during booking after his arrest Tuesday. Visiting Judge Mark Comstock ordered Knapp to cooperate. "You're not going to be released from jail until you get that photograph taken to the satisfaction of the sheriff's office, OK?" Comstock told Knapp. "Yes, your honor," replied Knapp, who is represented by defense attorney Denise Wilms. A pretrial hearing is scheduled April 13. A licensed social worker, self-described investigative journalist and former Republican candidate for Lorain City Council's 6th Ward, Knapp has been at odds with city officials for many months. The criminal charges revolve around his alleged disruption of an Oct. 20 City Council meeting. Their differences resulted in a physical altercation between Knapp and Carrion outside City Council chambers following a Feb. 16 meeting. Knapp interrupted an interview Carrion was giving to a Chronicle-Telegram reporter, and Carrion tried to close a door to block Knapp. Knapp blocked the door with his foot, which resulted in a heated exchange that was broken up by Councilman Tony Dimacchia, D-at Large. Knapp alleged Carrion assaulted him and demanded that Police Chief Michael Failing take a report. Failing refused. Recording the entire incident on video, Knapp then followed Carrion, Dimacchia, Failing and Jack Bradley out of City Hall, yelling obscenities and insults at them. Knapp said on the video he was going to "f--- these people up." Knapp earlier this month won a temporary restraining order against city officials who had tried to ban him from city property, but the civil stalking protection order requires him to stay at least 500 feet away from Carrion and have no contact with him, his workplace or home. A further hearing on the civil stalking protection order is Friday before Common Pleas Magistrate Laura Dezort. Another hearing in the case of Knapp's temporary restraining order is March 31 in Judge Chris Cook's courtroom. Knapp has been a party in multiple lawsuits against Lorain and Lorain County officials.