Newport Councilor Pleads Not Guilty To Crank Call Charge

NEWPORT, RI — Councilor John Florez was arraigned in Newport District Court on Wednesday. He pleaded Not Guilty to a misdemeanor charge, Crank or Obscene Phone Calls. According to court papers, he is accused of making a telephone call on Dec. 2 to a 13-year-old boy "for the purpose of harassing, annoying, threatening and/or molesting said person and family."

Florez was represented by Attorney Michael Farley, a former city councilor. He was released on $1,000 personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing is set for Jan. 9.

Tuesday, Florez sent Patch a statement saying in part the teen had threatened to choke his 13-year-old daughter and had been sending her sexually explicit messages. He called and asked to speak to the boy's guardian.

The grandmother made a complaint, police said.

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