ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Sammar Aimee Melchor, 34, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from June 2013 through February 2015, Melchor engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute between five and fifteen kilograms of cocaine which she obtained from other co-conspirators. The court was also advised that on or about Oct. 28, 2014, Melchor distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 6 ounces of cocaine. The court was advised that the cocaine was distributed in Erie as part of a large network transporting cocaine from Mexico into Texas, and from Texas to Erie, Pennsylvania concealed in hidden compartments in vehicles.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 13, 2016. The law provides for a total sentence of years 40 years in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Organized Crime Section, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Melchor.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
