TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A Vigo County judge sentenced Kenneth Pitts to 30 years in prison Friday morning for his involvement in the death of Anita Oswald in 2017.

“In [2017], the entire community was impacted by the disappearance and death of Anita Oswald.” Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said. “The sentence handed down today protects our community from this career criminal, likely for the rest of his life. He will be roughly 80 years old before he will be eligible to get out of prison.”

Earlier this year, Pitts pleaded guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter and Burglary, both Level 2 felonies. Under Indiana Law, a Level 2 felony is punishable by a maximum 30 year sentence and a minimum 10 year sentence.

At the end of Friday’s hearing, Judge Michael Lewis sentenced Pitts to serve a 30 year sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction on each count, to be served concurrent with each other.

In issuing the maximum sentence, Judge Lewis noted this case was one of the most gruesome cases with which he has been involved. He further commented on the fact that Pitts fled the state and used a false identity to attempt to avoid arrest.