Clemens Thomas Brzoznowski Jr., an 82-year-old man, pleaded not guilty today to sexually assaulting three girls he is related to as well as a dog in Westminster.

Brzoznowski Jr. was charged last month with 18 felony counts of sex acts against the girls, that allegedly took place from April 2004 to May 2007. He is also facing sentence-enhancement allegations for having multiple victims and substantial sexual conduct with a child. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of sexual contact with an animal, which is purportedly a dog, in July of this year.

Brzoznowski Jr. has victimized several young children in his family over a period of several years, according to the Westminster Police Department. He has family in Peru the police department fears he is at risk of fleeing prosecution. His victims have lived in fear of Brzoznowski for several years. They now believe that he will retaliate against them for reporting his crimes if he is released.

Brzoznowski entered his plea in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana. He was ordered to return to court for a pretrial hearing in Westminster that starts on March 5.