Inmate with suspected TB pleads not guilty to health code violation

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A state prison inmate suspected of having tuberculosis pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge of violating the state's Health and Safety Code.

Steven Reyes, 59, has been in isolation at the Fresno County Jail since July 18. He's refusing a public health officer's order to take a chest X-ray to check for the highly contagious bacterial infection. Because of the potential to spread the disease, a judge held Thursday's arraignment at the jail instead of in a courtroom.

Reyes is also a sexually violent predator, committed to Coalinga State Hospital.

A skin test first detected evidence of TB infection. Reyes' next hearing is scheduled for next month.