A second defendant in the murder of a Palmerton man in Whitehall pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lehigh County Court and was sentenced to 5-10 years in state prison.

Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan said that Liz Marie Pacheco, 35, accepted a plea offer that recognized her clean past criminal record and her cooperation in the homicide investigation.

Authorities said that Pacheco helped the alleged killer shoot Hector Garcia Gomez, 46, shortly after 6 p.m. Dec. 7, 2024, in the parking lot of Loco Hot Deals at 1155 MacArthur Road.

Judge Robert L. Steinberg issued Pacheco’s fixed sentence.

Holihan and Whitehall Township Police Chief Michael Marks said Pacheco relayed information about the location of Garcia Gomez prior to him being shot by Christian Martinez-Ramos.

She becomes the second person to plead in the case. On Sept. 22, Gomez’s wife, Brenda Rodriguez, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy–aggravated assault. She will be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 5 and could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Martinez-Ramos is awaiting trial.

Through the investigation of Whitehall Township Police Detective Lindsay Yetter and Lehigh County Homicide Task Force detectives Timothy Salgado, James Bruchak and Amaury Almonte, police alleged Rodriguez provided information on the whereabouts of Garcia Gomez’s vehicle to Pacheco when it arrived in the parking lot and that Pacheco relayed that information to Martinez-Ramos.

Martinez-Ramos drove his vehicle through the parking lot and parked behind Garcia Gomez. Gunshots were fired at Garcia Gomez from the Martinez-Ramos vehicle, striking Garcia Gomez multiple times, authorities said.

After Garcia Gomez was shot, video surveillance showed Rodriguez remained inside the car for more than 22 seconds and eventually got out, adjusted her clothing and hair, and then picked up several items before slowly walking into the store.

Police found Garcia Gomez with multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen. He later succumbed to the injuries. Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio ruled the death a homicide.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney James A. Augustine.