An Inez businessman pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning in Martin District Court to criminal charges initiated by the former manager of the Martin County Water District, Craig Miller.

Clarence “Edd” Kazee, 57, faces charges of terroristic threatening and menacing, stemming from a warrant and a criminal complaint signed on Miller’s behalf by Martin District Judge John Chafin.

In these documents, Miller accuses Kazee of threatening to fight him and an Alliance Water Resources employee, Jason “JD” Damron, and of threatening to beat them with a hammer.

Kazee, who was jailed March 12, said he was arrested for the first time in his life for standing up against “two bullies.”