BOSTON — Two men have been charged with allegedly conspiring to murder a witness in a federal trial as well as rivals: Elijah Melton, 26, of Middleborough, and Kareem Pires, 25, of Wareham. 

In December 2023, Melton was arrested and charged in a two-count federal indictment of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and the distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, the Justice Department reported. Melton was released by the Court on conditions, and was re-arrested and detained in February 2024 for allegedly violating those conditions. 

According to the charging documents, a cooperating witness told federal authorities that Melton had allegedly solicited him to murder a person that Melton believed to be cooperating in Melton’s federal drug case. Melton allegedly further asked the cooperating witness to murder two other individuals that were “beefing” with Melton’s crew, and also allegedly told the cooperating witness that he wanted two federal prosecutors murdered. 

According to the charging documents, Melton told the cooperating witness that Pires, who was not detained, could help identify the targets and locations where the targets might be found. Court documents indicate that when the cooperating witness was released in April 2024, he arranged to meet with Pires, who allegedly agreed to assemble information, including pictures, about the target witness and the target rivals for the cooperating witness.

The charge of conspiracy to commit murder for hire provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.