Third man convicted in connection with deadly home invasion in Lower Merion in 2024.

A 27-year-old man has been convicted of second-degree murder in connection with a tragic 2024 home invasion incident in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man and left his mother paralyzed. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office reported that Jeremy Fuentes was found guilty on Wednesday, after a jury deliberated on the charges.

The jury also convicted Fuentes on three counts of conspiracy, despite his absence during the actual crime. Prosecutors argued that he had played a crucial role in instigating two other individuals to carry out the home invasion that ultimately ended in violence.

Although no sentencing date has been determined, a second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence, as stated by Kate Delano, a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office.

The incident occurred on December 8, 2024, when Andrew Gaudio was shot fatally while attempting to defend his mother, Bernadette Gaudio, who was also shot while in her bed. As a result of the attack, Bernadette Gaudio suffered severe injuries, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down.

In July of this year, two accomplices, Charles Fulforth and Kelvin Roberts, were convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the same incident. The court learned that Fulforth and Roberts had unlawfully entered Bernadette Gaudio’s home under the false belief that there were firearms inside, intending to steal them. However, they mistakenly targeted the wrong residence, as they were supposed to be executing the robbery in Bucks County, not Montgomery County.

Fuentes, who also worked for the same junk removal company as Fulforth and Roberts, had previously noted the presence of guns at a related job in Bucks County. Prosecutors contend that he encouraged Fulforth to execute the burglary, thereby implicating himself as an accomplice.

According to Assistant District Attorney Brianna Ringwood, the nature of the second-degree murder conviction reflects that a death occurred during the commission of a crime, such as robbery or burglary, regardless of whether the accused intended for a fatality to occur.

In addition to the murder charges, Fuentes is facing separate legal issues, as he is accused of illegally selling firearms in a different case currently under investigation in Montgomery County.

This case underscores the serious consequences of criminal activity and the ripple effects it can have on individuals and families within the community. Authorities continue to seek justice in such matters, emphasizing the importance of safety and lawful behavior in society.

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