Molestation suspect pleads not guilty on pipe bomb

A 72-year-old Newport Beach man arrested Dec. 18 on suspicion of

molesting a teenager 26 years ago and possessing a pipe bomb pleaded not

guilty to the second charge at Harbor Justice Center on Thursday.

The district attorney has yet to charge Bruce Knight Cleworth on the

molestation because the deputy district attorney handling the case is on

vacation.

The supposed victim of the molestation, now a 40-year-old Oregon

resident, came forward recently and provided Newport Beach detectives

with leads that led to Cleworth’s arrest, officials said.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 16.