STROUDSBURG, Pa.—Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty against a man charged in the shooting deaths of two men whose bodies were found in a northeastern Pennsylvania park last summer.

Authorities in Monroe County allege that 28-year-old Luis Vasquez killed 55-year-old Bertoldo Velez and 38-year-old Joseph King on Aug. 17 after meeting them in a Coolbaugh Township park to try to settle a $20,000 debt.

After a preliminary hearing Wednesday, a district judge ruled that prosecutors had enough evidence to take Vasquez to trial on homicide and evidence tampering charges.

Investigators say Vasquez told police that a group of men had approached him and told him they were looking for Velez before the murder, but prosecutors say that story isn't supported by the evidence.