[420 Girl]

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - A medical-marijuana advocate facing battery charges for allegedly shoving an anti-drug activist refused a plea offer from prosecutors Friday that would have reduced his charge to an infraction.

Palm Springs resident Lanny Swerdlow, 62, was arrested on suspicion of battery in October after he and several other marijuana activists were ejected from a Rancho Cucamonga meeting of the Inland Valley Drug Free Community Coalition.

Swerdlow says the meeting was advertised as a public event.

But Paul Chabot, the event's guest speaker and husband of the coalition's president, denied entry to Swerdlow after Swerdlow was recognized as a marijuana activist, Swerdlow said.

Chabot told sheriff's deputies that Swerdlow pushed him and entered the meeting when he was told he wasn't welcome. Swerdlow denies there was any physical contact.

Swerdlow pleaded not guilty to the battery charge, a misdemeanor, in December.

On Friday, a plea deal was offered that would have reduced Swerdlow's charge to an infraction for disturbing the peace.

Swerdlow. declining the offer, said he is determined to go to trial if necessary to clear his name.

"I will not plead guilty to anything because I did not do anything wrong," Swerdlow said after a hearing in West Valley Superior Court.

Swerdlow said another man who was ejected from the meeting, Temecula resident Marty Victor, spoke to sheriff's deputies a week after the meeting seeking assault charges brought against Chabot.

Chabot, Victor said, verbally harassed marijuana activists who attempted to enter the meeting.

Chabot did not return a call seeking comment Friday.

Swerdlow said he would consider pleading guilty to the infraction if Chabot were convicted of the same offense.

Deputy District Attorney Garo Madenlian, the prosecutor, said he was unaware of Victor's statement to sheriff's deputies before Friday's court hearing.

Swerdlow is set to appear for a hearing Aug. 27 in West Valley Superior Court.

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