Aurora man pleads guilty to murdering former girlfriend

John Joseph Plevell pleaded guilty on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 to intentional second-degree murder in the November 8, 2015 shooting death of Julie Ann Hildreth outside the Aurora American Legion club, St. Louis County Attorney, Mark Rubin, said.

Plevell, 52, entered the plea before Judge Gary Pagliaccetti in State District Court in Virginia, Minnesota. The court scheduled sentencing for January 30, and as part of a plea agreement, the state will recommend to the court that the defendant receive a 35-year prison sentence.

Hildreth, 49, of Babbit was shot from about 60-feet away as Plevell lie in wait outside the club. Hildreth was transported to a hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. According to an autopsy, the bullet struck the victim’s right forearm and entered her chest.

Plevell told investigators that he had previously dated Hildreth for approximately a year and half and that the relationship had ended approximately three months before the shooting. Plevell initially denied shooting the victim.