COLUMBIA, Ky. (AP) -- An Adair County District Judge has entered a not guilty plea for the man charged with assaulting Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports District Judge Michael Loy set a preliminary hearing for 18-year-old Kanissa'ai Thompson, during a brief court hearing in Adair County Monday. Thompson is charged with second-degree assault, a felony.

Police say Thompson injured Meyer seriously enough that Meyer required medical treatment, including staples to close a gash on his head. Thompson denies the allegation, saying it was a woman who hit Meyer during a party in December.

Loy also appointed a public defender to represent Thompson and scheduled a preliminary hearing for him for Jan. 16.