A courtroom sketch of Enrique Marquez, left, on Dec. 21, 2015.
Bill Robles / AP
The man accused of illegally purchasing two assault rifles used in the San Bernardino, California, shooting attack that killed 14 people in December pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
Enrique Marquez, 24, has been in federal custody since his arrest on Dec. 17. He is accused of being a so-called straw buyer of two assault rifles used by Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, when they opened fire at a holiday party for government employees. In addition to the dead, 22 others were injured.
Authorities do not believe Marquez knew of the Dec. 2 shooting plot, but contend he failed to warn of the threat they posed.
Marquez also pleaded not guilty to plotting with Farook in 2011 and 2012 to bomb and shoot up Riverside Community College and a section of the busy 91 Freeway in Southern California — plans that were never carried out.
In announcing the charges in December, U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker said the indictment "demonstrates that we will hold accountable all individuals who collaborate with terrorists in executing their plans."
Marquez also pleaded not guilty Wednesday to lying to immigration officials and entering into a "sham" marriage with a member of Farook's extended family.
Marquez — who wore an all-white prison jumpsuit in court, his feet shackled and hands handcuffed — spoke only a few times during the hearing while answering the judge, the Associated Press reported. His mother was apparently at the federal courthouse, but did not sit in the courtroom during Marquez's hearing.
A trial date was set for Feb. 23.
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