A convicted sex offender has pleaded not guilty to killing two Arizona girls who went missing years ago.
Christopher Matthew Clements entered the plea Monday afternoon during his first appearance in a Tucson courtroom following a 22-felony count indictment that includes charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Authorities say the 36-year-old led them to the remains last year of 6-year-old Isabel Celis, who went missing in April 2012. Her body was discovered in March 2017 in a rural area.
They also say he is accused of killing 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez, whose body was found in June 2014 three days after she went missing.
Tucson police have not said what led to them investigating Clements in the killings of Celis and Gonzalez.
Media outlets report family members of both victims were present in court.
Clements' lawyer Nikolas Forner did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Clements is already serving time in Phoenix for burglary charges.