FDNY captain pleads not guilty to LA molest charges

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A New York City Fire Department captain accused of sexually assaulting two boys in Hollywood last month pleaded not guilty to charges on Thursday.

Wilbert Riera, 51, sat quietly behind a glass partition while his attorney, Shawn Holley, and a prosecutor conferred at the judge's bench.

The judge set bail at $2.6 million and issued a restraining order barring Riera from contact with the two boys.

Riera was arrested on Sept. 26 at a fire station in Staten Island and was extradited from New York. The felony complaint, filed Sept. 19, alleges the acts occurred between Sept. 12 and 14 when Riera was visiting Los Angeles.

The judge set another hearing for Nov. 13. A camera request from the media was denied. A prosecutor said the boys are relatives of the defendant, and authorities are concerned with protecting their identities.

Riera, who has been with the FDNY for 21 years and most recently served as captain in charge of EMS on Staten Island, was suspended without pay.

If convicted, Riera faces life in state prison.