35-year-old Michael Peden pleaded not guilty on Monday, December 18th. Peden is a Milwaukee Fire Department “acting lieutenant” who has been formally charged with second degree sexual assault/use of force. According to a criminal complaint, on December 2nd, the victim in this case, a co-worker of Peden, was interviewed by police after his arrest. She indicated she was employed as a firefighter at Engine 26 in Milwaukee — located near 26th and Scott. The victim indicated in May, Peden was assigned to the position of acting lieutenant for the medical unit at Engine 26, and at this point, Peden “began making racist comments” to the Hispanic victim regarding African-Americans and Hispanics.