CONCORD – Justin Gebo pleaded guilty Tuesday in connection with his possession of firearms as a prohibited person, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.
Justin Gebo, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, including being in possession of a firearm while under indictment and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for June 11, 2024.
According to the charging documents, on or about Jan. 1, 2023, Gebo was in receipt of a Ceska Zrojovka (“CZ”) model Scorpion EVO 3, S2, 9x19mm short-barreled rifle, with an attached armbrace, while he was under felony indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
That firearm was later recovered during a homicide investigation on June 3, 2023, in Franklin, New Hampshire. In addition, on or about February 3, 2023, Gebo was in possession of a 17 Design and Manufacturing, model 17DM-15, multicaliber rifle, after he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
According to a June 3, 2023 news release from Attorney General John M. Formella, autopsies were completed on the bodies of Nicole Hughes, age 35, and Ariella Bell, age 1 ½. Ms. Hughes’ and her daughter’s bodies were found shot to death in their residence at 124 Elkins Street in Franklin earlier that day.
Formella said an autopsy was conducted on the body of Jamie Bell, age 42, who was the suspect in the homicides of Ms. Hughes and Ariella. His body was found on the bank of the Merrimack River in Franklin in the area of River Street. He died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The charge of felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 15 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a firearm wile under indictment provides for a sentence of no greater than 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. Assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police and the Laconia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward is prosecuting the case.