Erie Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Cocaine Trafficking Ring

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release on her conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge David S. Cercone imposed the sentence on Sammar Aimee Melchor, 34.

According to information presented to the court, from June 2013 through February 2015, Melchor engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute between five and fifteen kilograms of cocaine which she obtained from other co-conspirators. The court was also advised that on or about October 28, 2014, Melchor distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 6 ounces of cocaine. The court was advised that the cocaine was distributed in Erie as part of a large network transporting cocaine from Mexico into Texas, and from Texas to Erie, Pennsylvania concealed in hidden compartments in vehicles.

Judge Cercone also ordered the forfeiture of two cellular telephones and a 2004 Toyota Matrix vehicle that were utilized by the defendant in the commission of the offense.

Assistant United States Attorney Marshall J. Piccinini prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Homeland Security Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Pennsylvania State Police; U.S. Border Patrol; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Organized Crime Section; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the U.S. Marshals Service; and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Melchor.