Minuteman linked to racist group "Save Our State" denies charges

Minutemen Member Denies Beating Disabled Immigrants

POSTED: 12:38 pm PDT April 13, 2007

UPDATED: 12:52 pm PDT April 13, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- A member of the San Diego Minutemen pleaded not guilty in court to allegations he beat two disabled day laborers.

John Monti, 36, entered his plea Thursday to nine misdemeanor counts including battery and interfering with the civil rights of two men.

The charges stem from an incident last Nov. 18 in Rancho Penasquitos.

According to the city attorney's office, Monti is accused of photographing the workers, calling them, "dirty Mexicans," and then punching two disabled men, Estanislao Gonzales and Roberto Pena.

After the alleged incident, Monti contacted police and claimed he was robbed and assaulted by as many as eight migrant workers, according to attorneys.

Monti is scheduled to return to court next month.