Leavenworth ? An inmate accused of escaping from the Lansing Correctional Facility by hiding in a dog crate waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday and pleaded not guilty in the case.

John Michael Manard, 28, is charged with aggravated escape from a state correctional facility and trafficking contraband in a correctional institution. His pretrial hearing was scheduled for Jan. 10 in Leavenworth County District Court.

Manard, who is serving a life sentence for murder, is alleged to have hidden in a dog crate used to transport animals for the Safe Harbor prison dog program.

The van was driven from the prison Feb. 12 by Toby Young, who volunteered at the prison as president of the dog rehabilitation program. Manard and Young were apprehended Feb. 24 in Tennessee.

Manard’s contraband charge stems from a cell phone Young is said to have brought to the inmate before the escape.

Young, 48, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting aggravated escape and trafficking contraband. She was sentenced in July to 21 months in prison.