Patrick Pogan, 23, was arraigned on two felony and three misdemeanor charges in state Supreme Court. He was released without bail and told to return to court Feb. 4.
Pogan is accused of knocking Christopher Long off his bicycle without justification on June 25 during a bike ride organized by a group that promotes alternative transportation. Pogan had filed charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and obstructing government administration against Long, but those charges were dismissed.
Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said Pogan was charged with falsifying business records and filing a false instrument. Both are felonies punishable by sixteen months to four years in prison.
He also faces misdemeanor charges of third-degree assault, second-degree harassment and making a punishable false written statement.
Morgenthau said Pogan falsified details in the criminal complaint and other paperwork related to Long's arrest, claiming Long steered his bike into the officer and injured him.
Morgenthau said the incident was recorded by an onlooker and that the video posted on YouTube showed "Pogan singling out Long and purposely body-checking Long off the bike."