Jeremy Fuentes, 26, of Philadelphia. (Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney)
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced Friday afternoon that a third man has been arrested and charged in the Lower Merion home invasion murder and attempted murder, and is pegged as the individual who provided two accomplices with the wrong address.
Jeremy Fuentes, 26, of Philadelphia, was arrested by Philadelphia Police Homicide Task Force and the Philadelphia SWAT and charged Friday with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit burglary in connection with the Dec. 8, 2024 fatal home invasion in Wynnewood, authorities said.
Fuentes was an employee of Junkluggers, according to authorities.
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 defendant Charles Fulforth was the impetus behind Fulforth and co-defendant Kelvin Roberts allegedly entering the Lower Merion home to burglarize and rob it of firearms, which resulted in the shooting death of 25-year-old Andrew Gaudio and grievously wounding 61-year-old Bernadette Gaudio.
Authorities said that Fuentes had met on Dec. 6, 2024, with Bucks County homeowners, with a similar address as the Lower Merion home, to provide them with an estimate for removal of items by Junkluggers.
When Fuentes was in the home, he observed a large gun safe, multiple firearms boxes, gun parts and ammunition, none of which were part of the estimate to be removed by Junkluggers, Steele said.
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.
Fuentes and Fulforth were interested in stealing the firearms to further their alleged gun trafficking organization that illegally sold factory-made firearms as well as privately made ghost guns, machine gun conversion devices (aka switches) and silencers using multiple 3D-printers.
“This tragic murder and attempted murder was all about greed and putting guns in the hands of criminals,” said Steele. “If not for Fuentes’ involvement, the robbery/burglary would not have occurred and the Gaudios would still be living their normal lives. Now Fuentes is on the hook for Andrew Gaudio’s murder and the attempted murder of Berndadette Gaudio.”
There is no bail available for second-degree murder charges.
Fulforth was arrested on Dec. 11, and Roberts was arrested on Dec. 17, police said. Both defendants are charged with first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and related charges.
A preliminary hearing for both defendants was held on Jan. 9 before Magisterial District Judge Karen Eisner Zucker, who held all charges to county court.
The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. and Deputy District Attorney Brianna Ringwood.
