Aurora Man Gets Longer-Than-Guideline Sentence for Murder

DULUTH, Minn.  – John Joseph Plevell received a 35-year- prison sentence today, after pleading guilty last month 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.

The longer-than guideline sentence was warranted by Judge Gary Pagaliaccetti because Plevell ambushed his former girlfriend, ignored a no-contact order, and the crime was a shock to the conscience of the community.

Hildreth, 49, of Babbitt, was shot from 60 feet away, as Plevell, 52, lie in wait outside of the club. She was transported to a hospital where she later died from her injuries. According to an autopsy, the bullet struck her right forearm and entered her chest.

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

The case was investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the East Range Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Biwabik Police Department. Assistant St. Louis County Attorneys Michelle Anderson and Bonnie Thayer prosecuted the case.