Joe Exotic Pleads Not Guilty, Requests Detention Hearing

Joseph "Joe Exotic" Maldonado-Passage has pleaded not guilty to two counts of soliciting murder for hire, Thursday evening. 

Maldonado, the 55-year-old zookeeper is accused in a murder for hire plot against a Florida woman. 

A detention hearing has been scheduled for October 4th, at 10 a.m., per Maldonado's request. 

A trial date has been set for November 7th. 

Garvin County Sheriff Larry Rhodes provided the following statement on the dismantling of the zoo: 

“Since taking office in 2010, the G. W. Exotic Animal Park has been a source of numerous police calls and subsequent criminal investigations. However, findings or lack there of,  resulted in criminal charges against any park ownership never coming to fruition.”

Read Also: The Alleged Target Of 'Joe Exotic's' Murder-For-Hire Plot Speaks Out