PEORIA (25News Now) – A not guilty plea was entered Thursday morning for a Peoria man linked to a September shooting that killed a 10-year-old boy after authorities said he was an innocent bystander near the scene of a botched drug deal.

The suspect, 33-year-old Maurice Sargent, is charged with first-degree murder, armed habitual offender and a previous armed robbery case.

With Sargent pleading not guilty at trial, he is expected to appear in court for a preliminary hearing in November, followed by a jury trial in December.

On Sunday, September 29, Peoria police found Torres L. Johnson II lying on the grass with a gunshot wound to the chest.. This happened after police were called to investigate a two-way shot watchdog alarm at the City Apartments on Romeo B. Garrett Boulevard in South Peoria.

The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement that the attack followed a botched marijuana sale and attempted robbery involving Sargent and two other teenagers.

Prosecutors said Johnson was not involved in drug dealing and was simply walking nearby when Sargent’s bullet struck him.

One hearing on Thursday, October 3Peoria County Judge Katherine Gorman ordered Sargent to remain in jail pending his trial.

The habitual armed charge was filed because Sargent allegedly carried a handgun after being previously convicted of burglary and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

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