Connecticut man found guilty of murder in failed marijuana transaction.

A Connecticut man was convicted on Wednesday for the murder of one of his partners during a botched marijuana transaction that took place in 2012. Melkuan Scott, 34, has been found guilty of killing Serafin Velez in Hartford on February 16 of that year, according to a release from the Justice Department. This conviction marks a significant development in a case that has lingered for over a decade.

Prior to this conviction, Scott was already serving time in federal prison, having completed a 13-year sentence for operating a drug trafficking operation in Connecticut. The events leading to Velez’s death were reportedly tied to a failed marijuana deal that involved Scott and a group of individuals from New York. Investigators revealed that Scott paid for a shipment of marijuana; however, upon delivery, he received counterfeit products instead.

According to federal investigators, Scott held Velez accountable for the failed deal, interpreting it as a betrayal that warranted extreme consequences. He allegedly forced Velez into a vehicle, drove him to a location in Hartford, and fatally shot him. At the time of the shooting, Velez was just 27 years old.

The case remained cold for more than a decade until new charges were brought against Scott in March 2023. This revival of the investigation also implicated another man, Arthur Stanley, who is currently incarcerated in federal prison.

Following the jury’s decision, Scott was convicted of kidnapping resulting in death and committing murder in furtherance of a drug trafficking operation. Given the nature of the offenses, Scott faces a mandatory life sentence, although a date for sentencing has not yet been established.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges associated with illegal drug trade and the violence that can erupt when transactions go awry. The case reflects not only the complexities of drug operations but also the significant consequences for those involved in such illicit activities. As authorities continue to grapple with drug-related violence, this conviction serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost associated with the drug trade in America.

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