Peoria man charged in shooting that killed 10-year-old boy pleads not guilty

PEORIA (25News now) – A Peoria man in connection with the September shooting death of a 10-year-old boy who authorities say was an innocent bystander near the scene of a botched drug deal pleaded not guilty Thursday morning .

The suspect, 33-year-old Maurice Sargent, has been charged with first-degree murder, being an armed criminal and charges in a previous armed robbery case.

Because Sargent pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing, 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. It happened after police were called to investigate a double alarm Shot Spotter at the Cityscape Apartments on Romeo B. Garrett Avenue in South Peoria.

The Peoria County District Attorney’s Office said the shooting followed a botched sale of marijuana and an attempted robbery involving Sargent and two other juveniles.

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

On a hearing on Thursday, October 3Peoria County District Judge Kathryn Gorman ordered Sargent held in jail pending trial.

The common-weapon charge was filed because Sargent was allegedly carrying a gun after being previously convicted of burglary and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

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