John Carlton Pleads Not Guilty To Aggravated Assault Charge

A Mills man denies he shot a man he suspected was dealing drugs to his stepson.

John Carlton has pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault and battery.

Investigators say in April, Carlton got into a confrontation with the victim, an alleged drug dealer, at Highland Cemetery.

Carlton told police he was only trying to scare the victim, but the gun discharged when he hit the man in the face with the weapon.

The man suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and tried to walk to the hospital, but paramedics responded after he nearly passed out.

Carlton is free on forty-thousand dollars bond awaiting trial.

He faces up to ten years in prison if convicted.