A freeway shootings suspect arrested Friday night appeared for the first time in front of a judge Saturday.
Leslie Allen Merritt, Jr. is facing more than 20 felony charges including intentional acts of terrorism, criminal damage, aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm.
Dressed in a striped uniform, he shook his head as the charges were read to him.
Merritt, who has a criminal history, maintained his innocence after he was warned that anything he said could be used against him.
"I'm the wrong guy...My gun has been in the pawn shop for the last two months," Merritt told the judge.
In an official document, however, DPS detectives say "at the time of the shootings in question the firearm was not in pawn status."
MORE: How pawn shops helped DPS locate the suspect
An attorney was appointed, according to information from his initial appearance.
His bond has been set at $1 million cash to which Merritt said he could never afford.
The state recommended the bond due to the "intense nature" of the crime and "substantial fear" in the community.
FULL COVERAGE: Get all the details on Valley freeway shootings here
ABC15 spoke with Merritt's employer Saturday morning who was shocked to find out about the arrest.
The employer says Merritt has been working with him for eight months without complaint. He says Merritt has never caused trouble and is a dedicated father who works hard for his family.
Merritt's next court date is set for Sept. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
