GREEN LAKE, Wis. — A Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning and left his wife and three children for Eastern Europe willingly returned to the U.S. after four months and was charged Wednesday with obstructing an intense lake search by staging a phony tragedy.

Ryan Borgwardt, who had been living in the country of Georgia, appeared in a Green Lake County court a day after flying home.

A judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and set bond at $500 for the obstruction charge, a misdemeanor, though Borgwardt only has to pay if he violates the conditions of his release from jail.

The 45-year-old said he would represent himself, but a court-appointed lawyer is also possible.

Earlier Wednesday, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said Borgwardt “came back on his own” Tuesday because of family.

Last month, Podoll said Borgwardt began communicating with authorities on Nov. 11 after disappearing for three months.

— The Associated Press