Two charged in Monterey County molestation case plead not guilty

Two people arrested Saturday on molestation charges pleaded not guilty in Monterey County Superior Court Tuesday.

Ruben Ruiz Maciel, 41, and Claudia Ochoa, 31, face drug and sex abuse related charges.

Ruiz Maciel is charged with the primary child molestation, while Ochoa is charged with aiding and abetting the molestation, Monterey County prosecutors told Central Coast News Tuesday.

Both individuals are being held in Monterey County Jail with bail set at $5 million for Maciel and $2 million for Ochoa.

They are due back in court May 6 to confirm a preliminary hearing.