A federal jury in New Haven has convicted Melkuan Scott, also known by several aliases including "Mel," "Young God," and "YG," of the 2012 drug-related murder of Serafin Velez in Hartford. The verdict was announced by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The trial revealed that the murder stemmed from a failed marijuana transaction involving Scott and others, which resulted in significant financial losses. Evidence presented showed that Velez and an associate had arranged the deal with individuals from New York. After receiving payment, these individuals provided fake marijuana to Scott and his associates. In retaliation, Scott forced Velez into a vehicle and drove him to Waverly Street, where he and an associate shot Velez.
Scott was found guilty of kidnapping resulting in death and causing death through the use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. He faces a mandatory life sentence at an as-yet-unscheduled sentencing hearing.
Scott has been held in federal custody since April 2014 after completing a 13-year federal sentence for another offense.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reed Durham, Robert S. Ruff, and Christopher J. Lembo.
