MISSOULA - A federal judge has accepted a plea agreement that drops murder-related charges against a man prosecutors allege ordered the killing of three women at a Florence hair salon eight years ago.

Lincoln Benavides pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distributing methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy accepted a plea agreement in which three counts of conspiracy to commit murder and four counts of committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering were dropped.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a 30-year prison term. But Molloy explained to Benavides that he could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced on April 23.

The plea agreement was filed less than two weeks after defense attorneys filed a sealed motion alleging prosecutorial misconduct and outrageous government conduct. Co-defendant Brian Weber has filed similar motions.

The men were charged with the November 2001 deaths of Brenda Patch, Cynthia Paulus and Dorothy Harris and with running a drug ring in western Montana and Idaho.