Man accused of posing as teen, starring for Texas school’s basketball team, pleads not guilty

Man accused of posing as teen pleads not guilty

ODESSA, Texas — A 22-year-old man accused of posing as a teenager to become a high school basketball star in Texas pleaded not guilty to the six felony charges.

A spokesman for Guerdwich (GERD-itch) Montimer’s attorney said Friday that Montimer waived his arraignment and entered not guilty pleas.

Montimer is accused of two counts of sexual assault, three counts of tampering with government records and identity theft.

Prosecutors say Montimer posed as a teenager named “Jerry Joseph” and played basketball last year at Odessa Permian High School. The West Texas school’s football team inspired the book “Friday Night Lights.”

The alleged fraud unraveled after coaches at an amateur basketball tournament said they recognized Montimer as a 2007 graduate of a Florida high school.