FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) – A 23-year-old former soldier has pleaded guilty to killing an antiques dealer in December of 2008.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports Brian Towndrow reached a plea agreement with prosecutors just days before he was scheduled to go to trail, and pleaded guilty on Wednesday for the death of 62-year-old Daniel Frederick, who owned Blondie’s Antiques and Military Supplies.

The newspaper reports Towndrow will not serve more than 40 years in prison for the killing.

Two other former soldiers – Raymond Jones, 30, and Michael Moore, 25 – have already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Prosecutors says Moore pushed Frederick to the ground while Towndrow strangled him. They say the trio was attempting to halt a military investigation.

Frederick’s family says it is disappointed by the agreement.

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Information from: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner,

http://www.newsminer.com

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AP-WS-04-08-10 1113EDT