Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a Bucks County man was convicted Wednesday of third-degree murder for the 2021 killing of 41-year-old Helena Johnson.

Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough found 40-year-old Michael Sarmiento guilty but mentally ill of the charge on Wednesday morning after hearing testimony about Johnson’s death during the two-day trial. A guilty but mentally ill verdict has the same legal effect — and potential sentencing guidelines — as a third-degree murder verdict, but enables Sarmiento to receive mental health treatment during incarceration.

Johnson, of Massachusetts, was found dead on June 6, 2021, in a Hazle Township motel room, where, investigators determined, she had been staying with Sarmiento.

According to testimony, Johnson died of blunt force trauma sustained in a beating.

Sarmiento will be sentenced on May 1.

“This defendant callously took the life of Ms. Johnson, then attempted to avoid accountability,” Sunday said. “The investigators and prosecutors in this case were determined to see that justice was done for Helena Johnson. We hope this verdict provides a small amount of peace for those who love her and miss her every day.”

Pennsylvania State Police charged Sarmiento after Johnson was found dead at Red Carpet Inn on North Church Street.

According to testimony, Sarmiento called 911 in the early morning hours of June 5, 2021, stating that he discovered Johnson dead in the bathtub.

Surveillance video revealed that Sarmiento and the victim entered the room together at 6:59 a.m. on June 4, 2021 — and Sarmiento left by himself approximately two hours later. No one else entered or exited the room until Sarmiento returned approximately 15 hours later and placed the 911 call.

A forensic pathologist testified that Johnson was struck a minimum of 10 times and that there was evidence of strangulation.