SANDPOINT - A decorated Idaho State Police trooper charged with theft and fraud in Bonner County is waiving his right to a preliminary hearing.

The waiver amounts to tacit agreement that the prosecution has enough evidence to justify trying Daniel Charles Howard in 1st District Court.

Howard, a 48-year-old from Athol, is free on his own recognizance while the case is pending. He is scheduled to be arraigned in district court June 16.

Howard's defense counsel, Chris Bugbee, said his client denies any wrongdoing.

Howard is charged with grand theft, title fraud and forgery.

The charges stem from allegations that Howard registered a special edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Bonner County, but grossly underestimated its purchase price to mitigate a tax hit.

Court documents allege that Howard registered the Electra Glide Ultra Classic peace officer-edition motorcycle here in 2013. He's accused of presenting a handwritten receipt indicating he purchased the bike for $500.

The base price for that model tops $20,000, according to court documents. The seller told investigators that he sold Howard the bike for $19,000.

As a result of the allegedly misstated sale price, Howard paid $30 as opposed to more than $1,000.

Howard is also facing a felony theft-by-possession charge in Kootenai County, in addition to a misdemeanor wildlife possession charge.

Howard is on unpaid leave from ISP while the cases are pending. If convicted, he could be fired from the force, the department said.