GREEN LAKE, Wis. ( WMTV /Gray News) - A Wisconsin man pleaded no contest Tuesday after authorities say he faked his own death while kayaking and fled the country last year.

With the plea, a judge found Ryan Borgwardt guilty of a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of an officer.

Borgwardt, 45, was in court Tuesday, which was the first time he appeared in person since his initial hearing.

He spoke during the hearing and expressed his regret.

“I deeply regret the actions that I did that night and all the pain I caused my family and my friends,” Borgwardt said.

Judge Mark Slate sentenced Borgwardt to 89 days in the Green Lake County Jail; the judge said the sentence symbolizes the number of days between the time Borgwardt was reported missing to the day he emailed the sheriff’s office

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