TV beauty pageant contestant pleads not guilty in Calif. to killing ex-adult film actress

Calif. pageant contestant denies murder

PASADENA, Calif. — A self-proclaimed preacher who was a contestant in the TV beauty pageant “The Sexiest Bachelor in America” has pleaded not guilty to murdering a former adult-movie actress.

Brian Randone was arraigned Tuesday in Superior Court in Pasadena. He is being held on $2 million bail.

The 45-year-old Randone, who has a master’s degree in divinity, could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted of beating and choking Felicia Lee on Sept. 11 in their Monrovia apartment.

The 31-year-old Lee appeared in several adult movies under the name Felicia Tang. The Singapore-born woman had moved in with Randone a few months before her death. Detectives said her body had dozens of recent injuries.

A preliminary hearing has been set for Oct. 9.