Jeremy Fuentes, 26, of Philadelphia. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney)
A Philadelphia man was convicted Wednesday for his role in a violent Lower Merion Township home invasion that left a mother paralyzed and her son dead.
A Montgomery County jury found Jeremy Fuentes, 27, guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit burglary in the Dec. 8, 2024, break-in at the Gaudio family home on Meredith Road, according to The Mercury. Prosecutors said Fuentes provided information that spurred two accomplices to target the house in a gun-trafficking scheme.
During the 2:20 a.m. invasion, 61-year-old Bernadette Gaudio was shot in the neck as she lay in bed, leaving her paralyzed. Her 25-year-old son, Andrew, was fatally shot as he rushed to her aid. Jurors deliberated just 80 minutes after three days of testimony before delivering the guilty verdict. Fuentes, who bowed his head and wept as the verdict was read, faces a mandatory life prison term when he is sentenced by Judge Risa Vetri Ferman later this year.
The case already led to convictions in July for co-defendants Charles Edward Fulforth, 41, of Abington Township, and Kelvin Roberts Jr., 42, of Philadelphia. Both were found guilty of first-degree murder and also await life sentences.
Prosecutors argued Fuentes set the crime in motion even though he was not present at the scene.
“He does not get to wash the blood off his hands when he put this in motion,” First Assistant District Attorney Edward McCann said in court.
Family members reacted with visible emotion in the courtroom. Bernadette Gaudio wept as the verdict was announced, while her eldest son, Robert, dabbed her tears and later thanked prosecutors for helping answer the family’s question of “Why?” In a statement, he linked his brother’s killing to the larger problem of gun violence, saying, “This resounding guilty verdict is proof that decisions have consequences.”
Defense lawyer Matthew Quigg argued Fuentes had no agreement with the others to commit burglary and was manipulated by Fulforth. After the verdict, Quigg said his client was “floored” by the decision and maintained his innocence. Prosecutor Brianna Ringwood praised the Gaudio family for their strength throughout the trial process, saying she had “the utmost respect for them and their journey.”
Investigation revealed motive and planning
According to investigators, the three defendants had worked together at Junkluggers in Upper Moreland Township. Fuentes allegedly visited a Bucks County home on Dec. 6, 2024, and observed a gun safe and related items. Believing the elderly homeowners would be vulnerable targets, Fuentes allegedly shared the address and details with Fulforth and Roberts.
Authorities said Fulforth and Roberts went to the wrong address on Meredith Road, where they committed the fatal shooting. Surveillance footage, Ring camera evidence, and a recovered stolen Jeep Cherokee linked the suspects to a residence on Sansom Street in West Philadelphia. A jewelry box belonging to Bernadette Gaudio was recovered at the residence, police said.
Prosecutors said the group was involved in trafficking stolen firearms, ghost guns, and 3D-printed conversion devices. Though the crime involved multiple aggravating factors, including the killing of a witness and shooting of a sleeping victim, prosecutors chose not to pursue the death penalty. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said the decision reflected mitigating evidence and the Gaudio family’s wishes.
Fuentes’ involvement in the home invasion is central to the prosecution’s case, as he is allegedly the one who provided critical information has made him an accomplice under the law, authorities said.
The investigation was a team effort between Steele, and Lower Merion, Upper Moreland and Abington Township police departments.
The homicide investigation by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and Lower Merion Township Police found that information allegedly provided by Fuentes to Fulforth was the impetus behind Fulforth and Roberts allegedly entering the Lower Merion home to burglarize and rob it of firearms.
Following the estimate, Fuentes allegedly called Fulforth and shared with him the information regarding the multiple firearms and related items in the home. He also allegedly told Fulforth that the homeowners were elderly.
Authorities said the home-invasion homicide occurred in the unit block of Meredith Road, in the Wynnewood section of Lower Merion Township at about 2:20 a.m.
According to county dispatch, a call for a shooting was reported at 2:22 a.m. in the area with a female calling to say she was shot.
In the wake of the shooting, police were seeking a silver or white 4-door sedan with handicapped Pennsylvania license plates, “24963” displayed at the rear of the car, police said.
Police were also searching a 2004 green Jeep Cherokee, with Pennsylvania Registration license plate number: LFS6673, which was stolen during the home-invasion and later recovered in West Philadelphia.
That vehicle led them to a home on Sansom Street and a search warrant was executed on the home. Authorities said the car had a stolen tag that was registered to a deceased individual.
One of the items found in the Sansom Street residence was a jewelry box, which was identified by Bernadette as hers, investigators said.
Ring cameras and other home security cameras in the area aided in the investigation, especially footage showing people bringing items into the Sansom Street home.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
