SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila pleaded not guilty Friday to corruption charges in an alleged campaign finance scheme and was released on his own recognizance.

Hundreds of flag-waving supporters turned out to cheer Acevedo, who was fingerprinted and had his mug shot taken at the FBI's offices before appearing in front of a magistrate at the federal courthouse.

The governor sent a message of gratitude from inside the courthouse to his raucous supporters outside.

"We recognize the presence of the outraged Puerto Ricans here in defense of our people," he said. "We give them thanks and respect."

Acevedo appeared composed after the hearing, winking at reporters as he left the courtroom.

The governor, charged with 19 counts that carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years if convicted, is the first Puerto Rican governor to face federal charges since the island became a semiautonomous U.S. commonwealth in 1952. No trial date has been set.

Under a pretrial agreement, Acevedo will be allowed to travel outside the island after providing notice but must check in with federal authorities once a month by telephone.