Herndon Man Indicted in Drug Related Murder

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Saul Pacheco Mejia, 48, of Herndon, Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, and the use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime resulting in death.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Colonel Edwin C. Roessler, Jr., Fairfax County Chief of Police, made the announcement.

Pacheco Mejia faces a maximum penalty of death, or up to life imprisonment if convicted. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The determination as to whether or not to seek the death penalty has not been made in this case.

According to the indictment, Pacheco Mejia and two conspirators traveled to Reston, Virginia, to sell cocaine to Colvin Morris.  After Morris attempted to rob them of the cocaine, Pacheco Mejia and his co-conspirators chased Morris from the apartment, shooting and killing him as he attempted to flee.  Pacheco Mejia and his co-conspirators fled the scene and later fled to Honduras.

This case was investigated by the Fairfax County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Fahey and Michael Ben’Ary are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No.1:15cr2.