Wareham man sentenced to 8 years in federal prison in murder-for-hire witness plot

A Wareham man who admitted to participating in a murder-for-hire conspiracy that targeted a federal witness  has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison.

Kareem Pires, 27, was sentenced after pleading guilty in February to conspiracy to tamper with a witness or informant by killing or attempting to kill.

According to federal prosecutors, Pires participated in a plot to arrange the killing of a witness connected to a criminal case pending in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. The conspiracy involved co-defendant Elijah Melton of Middleboro, who was awaiting trial at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island when the scheme was allegedly developed.

The case stems from a broader federal investigation that began in 2024. At the time, Melton and Pires were charged with conspiring to murder a witness in a federal trial, along with people prosecutors described as rivals of Melton's crew.

Melton, now 26, had been indicted in December 2023 on federal fentanyl trafficking charges involving more than 400 grams of the drug. After initially being released on conditions, he was detained in February 2024 for violating those conditions.

A cooperating witness told investigators that Melton solicited him to kill a person he believed was cooperating with authorities in the fentanyl case. Prosecutors alleged Melton also wanted two individuals he was "beefing" with murdered and discussed killing two federal prosecutors connected to the case.

Investigators alleged Melton told the cooperating witness that Pires, who was not incarcerated, could help identify the intended targets and provide information about where they could be found. Court records state that after the cooperating witness was released from custody in April 2024, he met with Pires, who agreed to gather photographs and other identifying information about the witness and rival targets.

Pires ultimately pleaded guilty to his role in the witness-killing conspiracy. Federal authorities said the FBI and its law enforcement partners disrupted the plot before any violence occurred.

"This sentence sends a clear message that threats and acts of violence against witnesses will be met with serious consequences," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda said in a statement. "Protecting the integrity of the justice system depends on the willingness of witnesses to come forward and testify without fear of intimidation or retaliation."

Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI's Boston Division, said investigators relied on information from a cooperating witness to expose the scheme.

"The FBI was able to foil this cold and calculated plan aimed at subverting the course of justice," Docks said.

Court records identify Pires as a member of the Harvard Street gang.

The Harvard Street Gang is a gang that has been the subject of a federal and state investigation since 2019. During that time, more than 20 alleged leaders, members and associates have been charged with drug trafficking and firearms offenses in state and federal court.

Authorities identified numerous residences and stash houses in Boston, Randolph, Taunton, West Bridgewater and Brockton during their investigation into the gang. 

Melton's case remains pending.