VIDALIA — Two of the individuals indicted after a grand jury investigation into the Ferriday Police Department appeared in court Wednesday.

Ferriday police officer John Hawkins and former officer Juanita January both pleaded “not guilty” to the charges a Concordia Parish grand jury brought against them.

Hawkins is charged with false imprisonment, malfeasance in office and simple battery. He is currently free on a $15,500 bond.

January, who no longer resides in Concordia Parish, is charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile for alleged sexual contact with a minor younger than the age of 17 during 2006 and 2007.

January was released on a $20,000 bond after she was booked at the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office March 19.

Both Hawkins and January are represented by the public defender’s office, Hawkins by attorney Andy Magoun and January by public defender director Derrick Carson.

The indictments were handed down in March after an investigation by the grand jury that lasted from October 2007 to February 2008.

A trial of motions, a legal step preceding trial, was set for the defendants for July 25.

Ferriday Officer Rickey Hollins and former officer Willie B. Robinson were arraigned on charges connected to the investigation last week, and both pleaded “not guilty.”

Hollins was arraigned on charges of false imprisonment, simple battery and aggravated assault, and Robinson is charged with malfeasance in office and false imprisonment.

A civilian, Arthur Johnson, was also arraigned and pleaded “not guilty” to charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in connection with the investigation last week.

Former Ferriday Police Chief Robert “Rock” Davis is charged with malfeasance in office and false imprisonment and has not yet appeared in court.