The Little Ferry priest accused of pointing a musket at an 8-year-old boy pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child charges. 

Several weeks ago, Carter is said to have brought a musket to show a fellow Civil War buff after a Mass.

Around the same time, an 8-year-old and his parents attended the church to talk to the priest about an upcoming football game and that's when the alleged incident occurred.

"I believe that I'm going to be vindicated of these charges and my reputation will not be harmed by the people that know me," says Carter. "I'll be OK. My concern is for my young parishioner."

Carter says he fears the boy will be traumatized. Neither the boy nor his parents were the ones to press charges. Carter's attorney believes these charges will be dismissed.

"The events of these last few days has not and will never ever change that respect and admiration I have for law enforcement," says Carter.

Carter's attorney says the family brought the 8-year-old so he could joke around with the pastor. Carter is a known Giants fan and the boy was wearing a Cowboys jersey. A female parishioner says she saw the priest point a musket at the child and reported it to the archdiocese.

"Father Carter at one point had the gun in his hand and raised the gun and there are different people who say different things, but I don't believe he ever pointed the gun at the boy," says Harold Cassidy, Carter's attorney.

Cassidy also disputes the claim that the boy was put up against the wall.