Staten Island Fire Captain, Wilbert Riera, Charged With Molesting 2 Boys In Hollywood Pleads Not Guilty

LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) - A New York City fire captain charged with molesting two boys in Hollywood has pleaded not guilty to six felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14.  He was ordered held on $2.5 million bail.

Wilbert Riera sat quietly behind a glass partition Thursday while his attorney, Shawn Holley, and a prosecutor conferred at the judge's bench.  Judge Renee Korn then refused a defense bid to lower the bail. She set another hearing for Nov. 13.

She refused media requests to photograph Riera due to confidentiality issues.  A prosecutor said the boys are relatives of the defendant and authorities are concerned with protecting their identities.

The 51-year-old Riera was arrested at a Staten Island firehouse and was extradited from New York.

He faces life in prison if convicted.

Riera is a past president of the Brentwood Legion Ambulance service.

In his hometown of Bay Shore, Long Island, the captain's next-door neighbor, Bill Smith, said he was "shocked" to hear the accusations.

"He lives with his mom. He takes care of her," Smith told WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs. "And he's always friendly. Waves to everybody...After Sandy, he was asking everybody if they were OK."

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