3rd man pleads guilty to role in Bangor murder

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff

BANGOR — A third man has pleaded guilty to his role in a 2024 Bangor murder.

Holden Melvin, 34, of Exeter pleaded guilty to one felony count of hindering apprehension or prosecution on Sept. 15 in Penobscot County Superior Court.

He admitted to his role in the slaying of Dylan Caruso, who was killed Sept. 30, 2024, in Bangor. His body was found weeks later on Oct. 23 in Exeter. Caruso allegedly owed a $600 drug debt to people from Exeter and was killed for being unable to pay, according to previous court testimony.

Melvin’s guilty plea carries a recommended sentence of 10 years, with all but five suspended and three years of probation as part of a plea agreement with the Office of the Maine Attorney General. He will be sentenced at a later date.

If the case went to trial, the state would show that Melvin assisted with moving and covering Caruso’s body after he was fatally shot, Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Ackerman said. Melvin also burned Caruso’s clothing and backpack and cleaned the car that was used to move Caruso, she said.

One count of felony murder will be dismissed at this sentencing, as part of the agreement. Felony murder is when the death of someone is caused as a reasonably foreseeable consequence while committing, or attempting to commit, another crime, according to Maine law.

Five people are charged with various felonies related to the 27-year-old’s death and its alleged cover-up. 

Kenneth Creamer, 37, of Exeter pleaded guilty to intentional or knowing murder, as well as one count each of aggravated trafficking of fentanyl and aggravated trafficking of cocaine on Aug. 18. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

That same day Dylan Belanger, 33, of Corinth pleaded guilty to one count of hindering apprehension or prosecution and one count of tampering with a witness or informant. His sentencing will happen at a later date.

Two of the cases are still pending.

Dylan Boyce is charged with one felony count of intentional or knowing murder and two counts of tampering with a witness or informant. Samantha McCullough is charged with one felony count each of hindering apprehension or prosecution and tampering with a witness or informant.

Melvin’s bail had previously been drastically lowered because of serious medical concerns, but he was then accused of violating the conditions and was returned to the Penobscot County Jail.

Melvin will remain in the jail until his sentencing.