Aurora Man Pleads Guilty To Murdering Teen During Pot Deal

AURORA, IL — An Aurora man has pleaded guilty to the 2015 murder of a 19-year-old during a marijuana deal. Leon D. Williams, 23, faces a maximum sentence of natural life in prison for the shooting that killed Daniel Sanchez of Aurora.

According to Kane County Assistant State's Attorney William Engerman, Sanchez had arranged to sell a "small amount of marijuana" to Williams an individual named as co-defendant whose trial is still pending. During the transaction, Williams tried to rob Sanchez, but Sanchez, who fled from the car they were in.

Police say Williams ran after Sanchez and shot him twice with a .25 caliber handgun. Sanchez was hit in the leg and the head, police say, and Williams then fled.

When police got to the scene, they say they found Sanchez "lying on the ground bleeding." Sanchez was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Williams and another defendant were taken into custody after the incident and police say Williams told them that he shot Sanchez two times after trying to rob him.

Kane County State's Attorney Greg McMahon said of the incident, "Leon Williams killed Daniel Sanchez over a small amount of marijuana. Violent crimes deserve severe punishment, and although this conviction will spare Daniel Sanchez’s family of a trial, the pain they will live with because of the loss of their young family member will never go away."

Williams is set to appear in court for sentencing on May 24.

>>>Image via Kane County State's Attorney's Office