BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- A southwest Idaho man police say beat a male teenage Syrian refugee has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of malicious harassment.
The Idaho Statesman reports that 25-year-old Christopher Blake Love of Nampa made the plea Wednesday in 4th District Court.
Charging documents state that the victim was struck "because of his race, color, religion, ancestry and or national origin."
Ada County prosecutors are not calling it a hate crime.
Police say Love twice punched the refugee on Feb. 12 in downtown Boise.
His case is scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 17. He faces up to five years in prison on each charge.
He's been released from jail on $10,000 bond.
