Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., right, facing a 35-count indictment, arrives at U.S. District Court in Tucson for his arraignment. Renzi pleaded not guilty in his initial court appearance Tuesday.

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U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi faced the same challenge as any citizen when he arrived at federal court Tuesday to enter a plea on 35 counts of money-laundering, fraud and extortion.

As he passed through the metal detector, he was stopped by a guard and asked to remove his belt.

Once he made it into the courtroom, the three-term congressman pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During his arraignment, which took less than 10 minutes, federal magistrate Bernardo P. Velasco released Renzi without requiring bail, on his promise to show up for his trial. Renzi answered in a clear and firm voice that he understood the conditions of his release.

Velasco set his trial for April 29, although Renzi's attorney said it will difficult to complete pretrial preparations by then.

After the hearing, U.S. marshals fingerprinted Renzi, who was wearing a dark blue suit and red tie.

Outside the courthouse reporters peppered Renzi with questions. Although his lawyer, Reid Weingarten of Washington D.C., said the congressman would not answer questions, Renzi did.

Renzi, a Republican, said he will remain in Congress, and with his legal team he will be OK. There have been demands that Renzi resign, including one from Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Renzi will not seek re-election this year for the seat in the vast largely rural district, which stretches from the state's northern border to the Pinal County line, including the towns of Oracle, San Manuel and Mammoth.

Weingarten fended off the resignation calls. Renzi is "a congressman each and every day" and will continue to do his duty and serve his constituents, said Weingarten, a former chief of the Justice Department's public-integrity section.

The high-profile attorney has successfully represented other well-known defendants including Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, in the Clinton administration, who was acquitted of corruption charges, and Ron Carey, the former head of the Teamsters also acquitted of corruption charges.

Weingarten said the facts of the case will come out in court in his client's favor. "Stay tuned for the specific facts," he said.

Federal prosecutors indicted Renzi last month on 35 counts for allegedly using his position to further the sale of some Cochise County land, from which he benefited financially.

Prosecutors also allege Renzi embezzled $400,000 in premiums paid through his insurance company to finance his 2001 congressional campaign.

Renzi, 49, is a graduate of Buena High School in Sierra Vista, not far from the San Pedro River site where the land is located.