Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Lynn resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in two armed robberies targeting drug dealers and their proceeds. Claudio Melo, also known as “Blue Drilla,” admitted to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, commonly referred to as Hobbs Act Robbery. The plea was entered before U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, who scheduled sentencing for November 13, 2025.
Melo, identified as a member of the Crip street gang and a convicted felon with a history of violent offenses, was arrested and charged in February 2025. His prior convictions include assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny, and malicious destruction of property.
The first incident occurred in March 2020 when Melo and another individual broke into an apartment at the direction of Vincent Caruso (“Fatz”), who was then on pretrial release for fentanyl and firearm charges. The group robbed occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the robbery, Melo struggled with a victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty for his role in this crime and received nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022.
The second robbery took place on January 30, 2023. According to court documents, an associate of Melo had arranged to deliver one kilogram of cocaine to an apartment in Woburn for about $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another person entered the apartment armed with semiautomatic pistols and took the cash from the drug customer before forcing him to open an empty safe.
If convicted on both counts at sentencing, Melo faces up to 20 years in prison per count, up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and fines that could reach $250,000 per count. Sentencing decisions will be made by a federal judge based on applicable guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the plea along with Ted Docks of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble from the Massachusetts State Police. Support came from both the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and Lynn Police Department during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard is prosecuting the case.
