CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 18 (UPI) — A friend of admitted church shooter Dylann Roof pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges related to the June shooting that left nine dead in a historic black church.
Joseph “Joey” Meek, 21, was indicted on charges of making false statements to federal officials and concealing knowledge about the crime. At a hearing Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges said the only plea she could accept was not guilty.
The plea was entered on Meek’s behalf. He faces up to eight years in prison.
The Justice Department said Meek told federal investigators he did not know specifics about Roof’s plan to shoot and kill people on June 17 at a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
