'Swamp People' cast members plead not guilty

HOUMA, La. (AP) — Two members of the reality television show "Swamp People" have pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they attacked a man with a beer bottle at a store in August.

The Houma Courier reports (http://bit.ly/178Da0d ) that Roland "R.J." Molinere Jr. and his son, Roland "Jay Paul" Molinere III pleaded not guilty Friday in a Terrebonne Parish court.

The two men said they had no comment on their plea to the aggravated battery charges.

Both men are accused of attacking a 24-year-old man Aug. 8 at a convenience store, hitting him repeatedly with the beverage. Authorities say the victim suffered a black eye, a swollen jaw and a welt on his forehead.

Trial is scheduled for Jan. 13

If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

The sheriff's office has said the incident followed a verbal altercation that initially occurred on the Bourg-Larose Highway and the Molineres followed the victim to the store.

"Swamp People" follows several southeast Louisiana alligator hunters during the monthlong gator season.

The Molineres are recurring cast members on the show.