Fifth Occupy Protester Pleads Not Guilty

The final of five Occupy Coachella Valley protesters accused of camping illegally in Palm Desert's Civic Center Park pleaded not guilty today to a misdemeanor charge.

Jayel Aheram, who also goes by Jack Lee Noftsger III, faces a count of misdemeanor unlawful assembly, which carries a sentence of 180 days in jail if he is convicted. The 27-year-old Iraq War veteran was recognized as one of the main organizers of local extension of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Also charged in the case are Mary Elizabeth Walker, 22, Stephen Finger, 58, all of Palm Desert, Dustin David Powell, 29, and Ryan Cartwright, 21, both of Palm Springs. All four pleaded not guilty on Jan. 5.

Cartwright faces two additional charges of misdemeanor resisting arrest. Aheram's arraignment was a different date from the others because he refused to sign a citation when he was arrested. Aheram after his arrest.

All five appeared in court at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Tuesday morning, and a pre-trial hearing was set for Feb. 22.

All five were just after midnight on Nov. 1 at , near San Pablo Avenue in Palm Desert. They had been protesting as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Charges have not been filed against five others arrested, including Gale Wheat and Salvador Reyes.

Deputy Public Defender Roger Tansey has said previously that the group would like to fight the charges, which he has called "completely unfounded."

Riverside County District Attorney spokesman John Hall has said the charges were carefully considered.

Members of the group had been in the park since Oct. 24 as part of the nationwide Occupy movement, meant to draw attention to what demonstrators say is the growing gap between rich and poor.

The city had granted the group a permit for several days to stay overnight in the park, but refused to grant any more permits out of fear that it would set a precedent for other groups to set up residence in the park.

The city attorney has said the city supports the group's first amendment right to protest and use the park during its hours.