A California man pleaded not guilty yesterday in federal court to allegedly shipping about 32 pounds of methamphetamine to Hawai'i for distribution.

Federal Magistrate-Judge Leslie Kobayashi scheduled a June 8 trial for Johnny Resendez Jr.

He has been charged with knowingly and intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Resendez was linked in a federal court document with a man who died after his speeding red Ford Mustang crashed in the H-3 Freeway tunnel on March 12.

Marvin E. Burrow Jr. of California was killed when he lost control of his car as he attempted to flee federal agents, court documents said. Burrow was under surveillance as he got into the Mustang at an 'Ewa Beach home and began to drive away.

Authorities said the Mustang was shipped from California to Hawai'i with 32 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside. Agents intercepted the shipment, replaced it with pseudo drugs and monitored the movement of the packages and vehicle, the court document said.