Ex-`Idol’ Finalist Pleads Not Guilty

EMAIL TO A FRIEND PRINT VERSION

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Jessica Sierra has pleaded not guilty to charges in a weekend fracas with three Tampa police officers outside a nightclub.

AP Photo/Hillsborough Sheriff\'s Dept.

Former 'American Idol' finalist Jessica Sierra was jailed early Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, after a drunken confrontation with police and onlookers, authorities said. Sierra, 22, was charged Saturday with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating conditions of her parole on earlier felony battery and possession charges.

Sierra, a former "American Idol" finalist, is charged with disorderly intoxication, resisting arrest and violating conditions of her parole on earlier felony battery and possession charges.

Attorney John Fitzgibbons said Thursday he is consulting with doctors to plan a comprehensive drug and alcohol program for Sierra.

She is being held without bail and will remain in jail at least until her next hearing, scheduled Dec. 20.

Sierra was a finalist on "American Idol" in 2005. She entered a California rehab facility in July that was to be documented on VH1's reality show "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" next year.