Biddeford slaying suspect set up bogus drug deal, prosecutors say

What started as a bogus drug deal ended in the death of a Biddeford man last month, prosecutors said in court Wednesday morning.

Linda Lambert appears in York County Superior Court Wednesday via Zoom. Screenshot from the Zoom hearing

46-year-old Gene Deres was shot and killed on the night of Sept. 27 after meeting Garrett Labonte, 45, and Linda Lambert, 56, of Biddeford. There were two arrested on Monday evening. Although court documents detailing the killing are still sealed from the public, attorneys revealed some of the events leading up to Dares’ death during Lambert’s initial appearance in York County Superior Court on Wednesday.

Lambert attended the hearing via Zoom from the York County Jail, where she is being held on $250,000 bond and has been barred from contacting Labonte. She is charged with murder and robbery.

Labonte is also charged with aggravated murder and robbery, as well as one count of first-degree murder. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to make his first appearance Thursday.

Under Maine law, a person is guilty of felony murder if the death occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a felony, such as robbery, burglary, or kidnapping. The maximum term of imprisonment is 30 years, murder – a minimum of 25 years.

According to the State Bureau of Identification, both suspects have a long criminal history of more than 25 years.

Labonte was found guilty of crimes including assault, disorderly conduct, theft and violating conditions of release, as well as crimes such as drug trafficking and theft by deception. Lambert was booked on charges of assault, criminal trespass and theft, as well as a charge of unlawful possession of drugs.

Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman said Wednesday that Lambert facilitated the meeting between Labonte and Dares, who Ackerman said had a “longstanding feud” with each other. According to her, Labont repeatedly expressed his intention to kill Dares.

Investigators determined that Lambert texted Labonte that Dares was a five-minute drive from her home on Foss Street, where he was heading on an electric bicycle to buy cocaine. When Dares arrived, a struggle ensued and he was shot and fell to the ground, Ackerman said.

She said first responders found Dares with his pockets inside out and his backpack almost empty except for drug paraphernalia. He died at the scene.

The gun with which Dares was shot was later found in the Saco River. Ackerman said Labonte used that gun to kill Dares after Lambert bought it for him from Cabela’s because he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Lambert’s attorney, Joseph Mekonis, argued that Lambert was simply a witness to the crime, not an accomplice.

Mekonis said Lambert called 911 when Dares was shot in front of her home. He said she was honest in her interview with investigators when she said Labonte wanted to kill Dares.

“You’d have to be a very, very bad-thinking, determined criminal to … frame that person for Garrett Labonte right in front of (her) house,” Mekonis said. “It’s a coincidence that Ms. Lambert and Mr. Labonte are drug addict friends. Mr. Labont, if it is him, acted independently.”

He asked that Lambert’s bond be reduced to $5,000 cash with a curfew if she is released from jail. The judge denied that motion.