MIDDLEBORO — A Middleboro man has been charged with allegedly conspiring to murder a witness in a federal trial as well as rivals, the Department of Justice reported.

Elijah Melton, 26, of Middleboro, has been charged with one count of conspiring to commit murder for hire. He is also alleged to have discussed the murder of federal prosecutors.

Melton is currently in federal custody and will appear in court at a later date, according to the Justice Department.

In December 2023, Melton was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and the distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, the Justice Department reported. Melton was released by the court on conditions.

In February 2024, Melton was arrested for allegedly violating his pre-trial release conditions. He has remained in federal custody since. 

According to official documents, a witness told federal authorities that Melton had allegedly solicited him to murder someone that Melton believed to be cooperating in Melton’s federal drug case. 

Melton also allegedly told the witness that he wanted two federal prosecutors murdered, provided the witness with certain information about the prosecutors and indicated that he would provide the money to murder the prosecutors personally, according to the Justice Department. 

He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison on the charge of conspiracy to commit murder.