Philadelphia Pair Charged In Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Herman Rosario, 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Yatska Melendez, 22, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged today by Indictment^[1] with one count of conspiring to distributed one kilogram or more of heroin, and 28 grams of more of crack cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.  Rosario was also charged with possessing with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and 28 grams of more of crack cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  On July 14, 2017, Rosario and Melendez were arrested in South Philadelphia after a month-long investigation by the Philadelphia Police Department.  Rosario faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, mandatory minimum prison sentences of 10 and 5 years, a $20,500,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.  Melendez faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, a $10,000,000 fine, a lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason P. Bologna.