EL CAJON, Calif. -- A man accused of molesting a 9-year-old boy in the restroom of a Wal-Mart store in Santee pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony charge of committing a lewd act on a child.

Travis Banegas, 28, faces up to eight years in state prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney Timothy Campen.

Banegas appeared before El Cajon Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos, who allowed him to remain free on $50,000 bail. He scheduled a readiness conference for April 19 and a preliminary hearing for April 28.

The boy told police the suspect grabbed him and groped him over his clothing about 2:15 p.m. on March 15. The child ran out of the bathroom and told his mother, who notified Wal-Mart staff and the Sheriff's Department.

Deputies searched the store at 170 Town Center Parkway and located Banegas, whom the boy identified as his alleged molester, said sheriff's Sgt. Hank Turner.

The sergeant said video surveillance also confirmed the man's identity, and Banegas allegedly admitted during an interview that he assaulted the boy, Turner added.