Brockton Man Pleads Guilty to Two Separate Cases Involving the Distribution of Large Quantities of Fentanyl and Cocaine
BOSTON – A Brockton man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to two separately charged cases involving the distribution of kilograms of fentanyl and, in one case, cocaine.
Elijah Melton, 28, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2026 in United States v. Elijah Melton et al., Cr. No. 22-10356-LTS, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl), and to one count of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Melton also pleaded guilty in United States v. Theodore Richards et al., Cr. No. 25-10288-LTS, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine). U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for July 15, 2026.
On Dec. 7, 2022, in recorded calls, Melton agreed to deliver four kilograms of fentanyl to an individual working with law enforcement. Among other things, the defendant stated, “I told you four, I got you the four.” That evening, the defendant sent an associate to deliver the kilograms to a residential area in Attleboro, Mass. The associate arrived in a car, which law enforcement stopped. From the trunk of the car, a bag containing approximately 3.5 kilograms of fentanyl was seized.
Melton’s associate, Samuel Fonseca, 32, of Brockton, previously pleaded guilty in 22-10356-LTS. His sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
Melton was arrested on Dec.12, 2023 (22-10356-LTS). Following his arrest, a search was conducted and a mobile phone was seized from Melton. The phone contained communications relevant to the second charged case against Melton (25-10288-LTS). Specifically, investigators discovered communications on an encrypted application between Melton and a user identified as “James Jackson,” which is alleged to be co-defendant Theodore Richards. In those communications, from 2023, “James Jackson,” located in California, agreed to deliver to Melton, in Massachusetts, kilograms of fentanyl (referred to as “boy”) and cocaine (referred to as “girl”). “James Jackson” ultimately agreed to send Melton 4 kilograms of fentanyl, 32 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 300 pounds of marijuana. “James Jackson” sent Melton photographs of the drugs he would be sending.
On or about Oct. 29, 2023, “James Jackson” sent an associate to Massachusetts to deliver the drugs to Melton. Melton confirmed receipt and described to “James Jackson” his efforts to sell the drugs in Massachusetts.
Theodore Richards has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and five kilograms or more of cocaine), and distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, provide for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison and up to life, at least five years of supervised release and up to life and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Rhode Island State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Crowley and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
