FBI continues to assist manhunt for Parkman murder suspect

By Nok-Noi Ricker
BDN Staff

GUILFORD, Maine — FBI agents have entered their third week in Maine searching for Robert Burton, who is wanted for murder in connection with the death of his ex-girlfriend in early June in Parkman.

“The FBI continues to assist us with the search for Burton,” Stephen McCausland, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman, said Monday.

Burton, 38, also known as Robert G. Elliot, is facing a murder charge in connection with the homicide of Stephanie Ginn Gebo, a single mother of two, whose body was discovered on June 5 in her Parkman home.

Piscataquis County Sheriff John Goggin said she was shot to death.

Maine State Police and Maine game wardens have partnered with county sheriff personnel to search for Burton, who has been on the run for 60 days.

The manhunt, which has been concentrated in southern Piscataquis County where Burton grew up, has involved hundreds of law enforcement personnel from several agencies inside of Maine and from out of state.

Agents with the FBI began work on June 20 in Maine providing assistance at the request of state police, according to Special Agent Kristen Setera of the FBI Public Affairs office in Boston.

Lt. Sean Hashey, commander for Maine State Police Troop E, which covers Piscataquis and Penobscot counties, said when the group arrived that 15 FBI agents were assisting with ground searches and other personnel were providing technical assistance.

McCausland said Monday that he didn’t have an update on how many federal agents remained in Maine.

“There have been no sightings since July 6,” McCausland said, referring to the most recent confirmed sighting of Burtonwhen he was seen on surveillance camera video at a camp on Point Road in Guilford.

A photo of Burton was captured from the home monitoring system that shows him wearing camouflage and carrying his black backpack on his front.

Ginn Gebo was shot to death in her Parkman home as her two children slept upstairs, Vance Ginn of Abbot, her father, said recently. She had ended the relationship a week prior, and she died the day after Burton’s probation for previous domestic violence crimes expired. Burton has a lengthy criminal record that includes more than 10 years in prison for domestic violence crimes.

Law enforcement officials believe Burton has been hiding out in camps and in the thick woods of Piscataquis County, a place he is very familiar with. They have investigated a number of camp burglaries over the last two months that they believe are tied to Burton.

Law enforcement personnel are working out of an incident command center set up at the Guilford town office.

Those with information about Burton’s whereabouts are asked to call state police at 973-3700 or 911. A reward of more than $3,300 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

Maine State Police

ON THE RUN – The most recent confirmed sighting of Robert Burton occurred around noon July 6 at a camp on Point Road in Guilford. This photo of Burton was captured by a nearby home monitoring system.