BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge accusing him of illegally entering an apartment where a Rogers man was later killed.
Aristeo Chavez, 25, is charged with residential burglary, a class B felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. He entered the plea during an arraignment before Circuit Judge David Clinger.
Chavez was first arrested for capital murder on Nov. 25 in connection with the shooting death of Jorge Orta, who was shot and killed at the South Winds Apartment complex at 2002 Commons Drive in Rogers.
Rogers police have since issued arrest warrants for murder in the first degree for Juan Pablo Albarran and Cynthia Trujillo in connection with Orta’s death.
However, Chavez was first identified as a suspect in the crime. According to court documents, Albarran and Chavez went to Orta’s apartment and confronted him about owing money.
Albarran and Chavez left the apartment, but Albarran returned and he and Orta fought before Albarran shot him, according to court documents.
Albarran, along with his girlfriend, Trujillo, then fled the scene, according to court documents.
The pair have not been apprehended.
An omnibus hearing in Chavez’s case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 11.
Clinger reduced Chavez’s bond from $75,000 to $30,000 and he was released Monday from the Benton County Jail.