VIDALIA — A month removed from reportedly binding and beating an alleged sex offender, a Ferriday man pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday.

Stanley Vernon Schickel, 44, 218 Bailey Circle, Ferriday, was in court facing charges of false imprisonment and aggravated second-degree battery in connection with the July beating of James Don Mulvihill, 59. When Schickel was originally arrested, he was facing a charge of attempted second-degree murder.

Seventh Judicial District Attorney Brad Burget said Wednesday he accepted prosecution on the offense easiest to prove.

Assistant District Attorney Ann Siddall said Schickel allegedly bound Mulvihill in a chair with duct tape, covered him with a blanket and used a large knife, a wooden walking stick and a Maglite flashlight in the reported beating. The alleged beating occurred in a residence near Mulvihill’s 311 B.B. Beard Road residence in Monterey.

Siddall offered Schickel a 10-year consecutive sentence without adding time because Schickel is a habitual offender before he pleaded not guilty through defense attorney Derrick Carson.

Mulvihill pleaded not guilty last week to four counts of sexual battery.

Schickel allegedly beat Mulvihill July 25 because he believed Mulvihill lured a 16-year-old boy into his residence to perform inappropriate acts multiple times. Officials with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office would not comment on whether Schickel is related to the alleged juvenile victim.

Schickel is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 8 for a status hearing.