BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (ABP) -- Three men charged with conspiracy and arson in the burning of nine churches in rural Alabama pleaded not guilty in an arraignment hearing April 13. Federal Judge John Ott set a June 5 trial date for the case.

Defendants Russell DeBusk Jr., 19; Benjamin Moseley, 19; and Matthew Cloyd, 20, also face state charges in connection with the fires, five of which happened Feb. 3 in Bibb County. Four more happened in west Alabama Feb. 7.

The men, students at colleges in Birmingham, have been held at Shelby County Jail since their arrest in March. If convicted on federal charges, each count has a mandatory sentence of at least five years in prison.

Defense lawyers have not ruled out a possible plea agreement, Associated Press reported, especially since the men have expressed remorse for the fires. They reportedly told authorities the fires started as “a joke” that got out of hand.

DeBusk's attorney, Brett Bloomston, said the defense teams hope to bring a resolution to the case. He told AP that DeBusk has had time for reflection while in jail. "He's done a lot of praying and introspection," Bloomston said. "He's very remorseful."

Five of the churches were destroyed, and two firemen were injured during the fires.

Jill Ellis, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama, told reporters a pretrial conference will be held in May.

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