Man pleads not guilty in diaper dumping

A man accused of tossing soiled adult diapers onto the road in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach pleaded not guilty to charges Monday, court records show.

Tomoo Kawai, 67, of Newport Beach, faces one misdemeanor charge of prohibited waste disposal and a possible sentence of probation or six months in jail if convicted.

The one charge covers a range of incidents possibly tied to Kawai that authorities have said took place between June 27 and Sept. 24.

Laguna Beach police traced a diaper to Kawai after discovering a diaper and an addressed envelope in a bag in September, authorities previously said.

Police traced the envelope to a Newport Beachhome, and followed the man as he drove toward Laguna Beach. Police stopped him near the Crystal Cove Promenade, and discovered a bag of adult diapers in his vehicle, authorities have said.

Kawai is next expected in court Jan. 23.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30