Plea deal reached in Wyoming Valley shooting

The 34 year old man who said he accidentality shot a woman at his residence earlier this year entered into a plea agreement Monday.

Timothy D. Sontic, who was charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a firearm, appeared in Iowa County court with his attorney for a plea hearing and entered into an agreement where confinement of not more than 10 years would be granted in exchange for a no contest or guilty plea.

Sontic agreed to the plea agreement and entered a no contest plea.  Judge Matthew Allen accepted the plea and ordered a pre-sentence investigation. The  judge will make the final decision. 

A criminal complaint stated Sontic called 911 on January 25 and told dispatchers his girlfriend "was shot in the head." He told deputies the gun discharged while he was picking it up and that the shooting was an accident. 

Deputies noted a "strong odor of intoxicants" on Sontic. 

His girlfriend Nicole Bliesner, 35, of Spring Green died January 30.

Sontic will appear for a sentencing hearing October 25 at 1 pm.