Linda Stoltzfoos.Photo: East Lampeter Township Police
The man accused of killing Amish teenagerLinda Stoltzfoostoday pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and was sentenced to 35 to 71 years behind Pennsylvania prison bars.
PEOPLE confirms Justo Smoker, 35, formally entered the guilty plea Friday.
Smoker also entered guilty pleas to kidnapping, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and possession of an instrument of crime charges.
Stoltzfoos, 18, disappeared on June 21, 2020, when she was last seen heading home after church to change into something else for a youth group meeting.Her remains were foundin April.
According to prosecutors, who addressed the press earlier today, a plea deal was struck with Smoker in order to find Stoltzfoos' body — and bring her grieving family closure.
Justo Smoker.Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office
During the sentencing, Judge David Ashford described Smoker’s crimes as depraved, cowardly and despicable,reports WGAL.
Smoker also spoke ahead of his sentencing, which Stoltzfoos' parents did not attend.
“I know Linda was a light,” Smoker said, according to WGAL. “Because of me, the world is dimmer. All I can say is I’m sorry.”
Smoker wasarrestedlast July on charges of felony kidnapping and misdemeanor false imprisonment in connection with Stoltzfoos' disappearance.
He was officiallycharged with murderin December, after investigators reviewed all of the evidence gathered and made the determination that Stoltzfoos was likely dead.
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DNA found on the clothing was confirmed to be Smoker’s.
Medical examiners determined Stoltzfoos died from asphyxia due to strangulation and suffocation, with a knife wound to the neck serving as a contributing factor.
source: people.com
