Local

Orlando police chief's brother pleads not guilty to sexual battery accusations

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The older brother of Orlando Police Chief John Mina pleaded not guilty to molesting a girl for three years, starting when she was 10 years old.

Edward Mina appeared in court Thursday. Prosecutors expected Mina's attorneys request bond so he could leave jail for the first time since his arrest in May. Instead, Mina's defense dropped the request.

Mina will stay in jail. A pretrial hearing is set for August.

Read: Orlando police chief's brother accused of molesting girl denied bail

Sources told Channel 9's Shannon Butler in May that even though the suspect and the chief are brothers who live in the same area, they rarely see each other.

“These are extremely serious and disturbing criminal allegations,” Chief John Mina said at the time of his brother’s arrest. “At this time, I am most concerned with the welfare and privacy of the child involved, and won’t be making any further comment.”

Read: Orlando police Chief John Mina to retire from force after 27 years

Nobody else from the family responded to Channel 9’s request for comment.

Download the free WFTV News & Weather apps