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DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) A Minnesota activist arrested in the 2004 animal rights vandalism at the University of Iowa has pleaded not guilty in federal court.

The arrested man, 22-year-old Scott DeMuth, pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy Friday in Davenport. The federal government is requesting that DeMuth be detained pending trial, which is set for March, but DeMuth's attorney argued he should be released.

U.S. Magistrate Thomas Shields expects to issue a ruling soon.

An FBI agent said Friday that DeMuth was linked to the break-in after a journal and a lock-picking device were seized at his home during an investigation into protests at the Republican National Committee convention in Minneapolis in 2008.

Authorities say the vandals released hundreds of animals and caused about $500,000 in damage to psychology department laboratories.

Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazetteonline.com/ (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-21-09 0054CST | save this article / add to your favorites list