Tyler

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) _ Jackson Mayor Frank Melton has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to a sledgehammer attack on an alleged crack house.

Melton is a former Tyler television executive. For several years, Melton was the president and chief executive officer of Tyler-based Buford Television and then Civic Communications Corp.

The mayor and two bodyguards, who are facing charges in the same incident, made initial court appearances Wednesday at the federal courthouse in Jackson.

Police officers Michael Recio and Marcus Wright also pleaded not guilty.

Each was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

Melton, Recio and Wright were indicted last week on three counts each of conspiracy and violating the civil rights of the owner of a private residence and the man who lived there.

They're accused of leading an entourage of young men to the house and using sticks and a sledgehammer to knock out walls and windows in 2006.

The three also face a firearms charge.

Frank Melton
(Associated Press)