Xavier Melendez-Hernandez, a 41-year-old resident of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. The sentence was handed down on March 5, 2026, by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson.
United States Attorney Brian D. Miller stated that Melendez-Hernandez worked with Victor Colon-Rosario, Hector Rayann Santos-Carasquillo, and Joseph Fontanez-Machuca to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine throughout the greater Harrisburg area during 2021 and 2022. All four individuals were indicted and later pleaded guilty to their charges.
Colon-Rosario received a sentence of 24 months in prison in 2024. Santos-Carasquillo was sentenced to 60 months in prison the same year. In February 2026, Fontanez-Machuca was sentenced to time served after spending nearly two years in pretrial and presentence detention.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby prosecuted the case.
