Third Man in Lower Merion Home Invasion Case Goes on Trial

Prosecutors say Jeremy Fuentes, 27, encouraged Charles Fulforth and Kelvin Roberts to commit the break-in, which ended in murder and grievous harm. Fuentes, a Junkluggers employee, allegedly knew Fulforth was planning the burglary and wanted to profit from it. The jury will decide Fuentes' fate, with prosecutors seeking a second-degree murder conviction. The case has drawn attention to Fuentes' history of stealing and reselling guns, as well as making illegal weapons with a 3D printer.

Key Takeaways:

• Jeremy Fuentes, 27, is on trial for second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary in connection with the December 2024 break-in at Bernadette Gaudio's Main Line home.
• Prosecutors say Fuentes encouraged Charles Fulforth and Kelvin Roberts to commit the break-in, which ended in murder and grievous harm to Gaudio and her son Andrew.
• Fuentes, a Junkluggers employee, allegedly knew Fulforth was planning the burglary and wanted to profit from it.
• The jury will decide Fuentes' fate, with prosecutors seeking a second-degree murder conviction.
• A second-degree murder conviction means somebody was killed during the commission of a crime, including robbery or burglary, and the person charged does not need to have intended for a death to happen to be found guilty.
• Fuentes has a history of stealing and reselling guns, as well as making illegal weapons with a 3D printer.
• In a separate case in Montgomery County, Fuentes faces 17 counts of illegally selling firearms and other related charges.
• The Gaudio family tragedy was a "tragedy" that occurred on a winter night in December 2024, resulting in the paralyzing of Bernadette Gaudio from the neck down and the death of her 25-year-old son Andrew.
• The intruders, Charles Fulforth and Kelvin Roberts, were both employees at Junkluggers, a junk removal business.
• Prosecutors plan to present text messages sent before the robbery that allegedly show Fuentes telling Fulforth of a house with "two old people and a whole lot of guns".
• Fuentes' defense attorney, Matthew Quigg, argues that prosecutors will not be able to tie his client to Fulforth through witness testimony or evidence.

Statistics:

• 1 murder occurred during the commission of a crime at the Gaudio home.
• 1 individual, Andrew Gaudio, was shot and killed.
• 1 individual, Bernadette Gaudio, was paralyzed from the neck down.
• 17 counts of illegally selling firearms in a separate case in Montgomery County against Jeremy Fuentes.
• The Gaudio family tragedy occurred on a winter night in December 2024.

Sources:

• "Jury hears opening statements in case of man accused of encouraging Lower Merion home invasion" by The Philadelphia Inquirer
• "Third man in Lower Merion home invasion case goes on trial" by The Philadelphia Inquirer
• "Prosecutors say third man in Lower Merion home invasion case encouraged intruders" by The Philadelphia Inquirer