A Lancaster city man was sentenced to 6-12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to a first-degree felony charge of criminal conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and two third-degree felony charges of hindering apprehension.

Vladimir Paltan, 31 of the 600 block of Cleremont Ave, was sentenced by Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker last Wednesday for the defendant’s involvement in the shooting that resulted in the death of Tyreek Gardner in May 2019.

Paltan pleaded guilty to the charges in December and was the driver of the car that took Brian Paltan and Ryan Rivera, the triggerman, to the scene of the murder.

“He had a choice that night: Drive straight or turn,” Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Baker said. “He was the linchpin of a murder that night. He enabled Ryan Rivera to commit murder.”

Brian Paltan was sentenced to 8-20 years in prison by Lancaster County Judge Dennis Reinaker on June 28 after pleading guilty to third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy, and carrying a firearm without a license for his role in the homicide.

Rivera was convicted by jury of third-degree murder in November 2021 and sentenced to 40-80 years in prison by Judge Reinaker in January 2022.

Evidence presented at Rivera’s trial showed that Rivera and Brian Paltan confronted Gardner on the 300 block of E. Fulton St. after Rivera and Gardner had crossed paths earlier in the night.

Brian Paltan punched Gardner, who ran from them on Tobacco Ave. toward N. Shippen St. Rivera and B. Paltan each fired at the victim but did not strike him. Shell casings were recovered on Tobacco Ave.

Rivera and Brian Paltan returned to the corner of E. Fulton St. and N. Plum St. and video footage showed Rivera pointing at Gardner as he ran by onto Chestnut St.

Shortly after, Rivera and Brian Paltan got into a Volkswagen Passat driven by Vladimir Paltan, which was captured on video surveillance driving down Chestnut St. to catch up with the victim. Additional video captured the audio of the shots being fired.

Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Baker represented the Commonwealth during Vladimir Paltan’s guilty plea. Former First Deputy DA Travis Anderson represented the Commonwealth during Brian Paltan’s guilty plea and Rivera’s trial.

Lancaster Bureau of Police Detective Sergeant Thomas Ginder filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sean McBryan, semcbryan@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @SeanMcBryanLanc.