BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A hitchhiker from West Virginia has pleaded guilty in Montana to criminal charges brought after he falsely claimed to be the victim of a drive-by shooting.

Ray Dolin of Julian, W.Va., pleaded guilty Monday in state District Court in Valley County to tampering with evidence, making a false report and obstructing a peace officer.

The struggling photographer has admitted to shooting himself in the arm while hitchhiking near Glasgow in northeastern Montana. He initially claimed it was a drive-by shooting and stuck with that story even after a Washington state man was arrested in the case.

Court documents show Dolin claims he was trying to kill himself but failed and should have come forward with the truth sooner.

Sentencing was set for Jan. 22 before District Judge John McKeon.