The 25-year-old Clinton, Missouri man bound over for trial back on August 28, for alleged inappropriate touching of an 8 year-old girl here in Reno County was arraigned in District Court Monday where he entered a not guilty plea.

Erik Wayne Reyes entered the plea in front of Judge Trish Rose to the single charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child for touching the girl while staying with relatives. The alleged crime occurring back on June 5, 2011 in South Hutchinson. The charge is an off-grid felony which means he could be looking at a life sentence with no chance for parole for 25-years under Jessica’s Law.

The case came to light after the aunt of the victim learned of the abuse and called South Hutchinson Police. She also reportedly began to strike Reyes with a hair-dryer. He quickly skipped town and was located in Missouri and brought back to Hutchinson.

The victim testified during the preliminary hearing that she was sleeping on the couch and he took her to a bedroom where the alleged encounter happened. She pointed the finger at Reyes as the one who molested her.

With the not guilty plea, the case will now be scheduled for a jury trial at some point in the future.

Reyes remains jailed on a 100-thousand dollar bond.