OAKLAND (KRON) — One of the Oakland police officers facing charges in the police sex scandal made his first court appearance on Friday and pleaded not guilty.

Officer Brian Bunton is charged with a felony for his alleged involvement with Jasmine Abuslin, formerly known as Celeste Guap.

KRON4’s Haaziq Madyun was in court when the officer faced a judge.

Bunton made his first court appearance Friday at the Alameda County Superior Courthouse in Hayward. He pleaded not guilty to the following charges: felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor engaging in an act of prostitution.

Bunton’s attorney says his client is a 40-year-old husband and father who has been an Oakland police officer for less than two years. He is alleged to have sent text messages warning Abuslin about Oakland police prostitution sting operations

“Officer Bunton did cooperate in the investigation,” Dirk Manoukian said. “He gave a full statement. In that statement, he expressed remorse and took responsibility for some of the actions that they were discussing, and we believe the facts are going to support those statements that he made.”

Bunton is the first of five officers charged by the Alameda County District Attorney to make a court appearance. His bail was set $12,500.

He has until Monday to pay or surrender himself to the Santa Rita jail.

Bunton’s pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21.

On Friday, Richmond Police Department announced the extent of disciplinary actions to be recommended in the case involving improper conduct by police personnel related to Abuslin.