The former acting chief executive of the Ulster Scots Agency has pleaded not guilty to two charges of attempting to have sex with a minor.

Stan Mallon, 62, appeared at a Federal Court in Chicago on Thursday to enter his plea.

The father-of-five, from Crumlin in County Antrim, was remanded back to the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Chicago.

He is charged with attempting to coerce a 14-year-old girl to have sex with him after he contacted her over the internet.

Stan Mallon is contesting the charges

The girl was actually an undercover police officer, it is alleged.

He also faces the charge of travelling interstate to engage in sexual acts with a minor.

If convicted, Mr Mallon could face a maximum penalty on each charge of 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

The Ulster Scots Agency is one of the cultural cross-border bodies set up under the Good Friday peace agreement.