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The man who murdered an elderly couple at their Babbitt home will go to prison for 46 years.
Roger Beldo, 54, was sentenced to 556 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of intentional second-degree murder.
Beldo is guilty of killing Clifford Johnson, 78, and Christine Johnson, 79, inside their home on Fir Circle on October 28, 2023.
At the time of the incident, Beldo was living with the couple.
He was arrested shortly after the incident and confessed to authorities that he used both a tire iron and a hammer to kill the Johnsons.
Beldo was later charged with murder and pleaded guilty in State District Court on May 8, 2024.
Under terms of a plea agreement, Beldo was sentenced to 295 months on the first count of Intentional Second-Degree Murder and a consecutive sentence of 261 months on the second count of Intentional Second-Degree Murder.
“Our thoughts go out to the family of Clifford and Christine Johnson, whose lives were stolen by the Defendant’s heinous acts,” said St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. “This type of brutality can deeply shake a community, even one as strong as Babbitt. Hopefully this resolution brings not only accountability but closure for their family, the community, and for the rest of the county.”
In a release, the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office thanked the Babbitt Police Department, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, “for their hard work and dedication in the investigation and assistance of this matter.”
According to court records, Beldo has a long criminal history, with convictions for both felony and misdemeanor domestic assault, theft, criminal damage to property, driving under the influence and disorderly conduct.
