Five men plead guilty in murder, arson plan

In the early several hours of April 2, 2018, Bridgeport law enforcement were being patrolling the city’s west facet and attempted to cease a motor vehicle with unlit taillights. Whilst the automobile fled from police, officers observed many objects staying thrown from its windows.

The automobile stopped quite a few blocks away and officers arrested the driver, 55-calendar year-old Luis Mercado, also acknowledged as “Pops,” of Bridgeport, and 31-yr-previous guy Dominick Gonzalez, also recognised as “Dom,” of Bridgeport, in accordance to the U.S. Attorney’s Place of work.

Law enforcement seized two loaded handguns and cannabis that experienced been thrown out of the auto. Law enforcement also found a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars and a container of gasoline inside of the motor vehicle, the U.S. Attorney’s business office said.

An investigation uncovered Mercado, Gonzalez and three other adult males were being preparing to murder a person who labored at Wood Avenue Overall body Shop in Bridgeport and set fire to the business enterprise, in accordance to the U.S. Attorney’s business.

The a few other men — 33-12 months-old George Rivera, also acknowledged as “Pito,” of Danbury 39-year-previous Jason Scott, also acknowledged as “Hood,” of Bridgeport and 35-calendar year-old Luis Mejias, also recognized as “Kermit,” of Waterbury — were being arrested later on that early morning at a hotel in Milford, the U.S. Attorney’s Business office stated.

In the lodge room, authorities stated they identified two loaded rifles, a loaded revolver, a loaded shotgun, additional ammunition, brass knuckles, binoculars, gloves and a knit mask. Investigators also seized packaged heroin, Ecstasy drugs, marijuana, a digital scale and other products from the space, as very well as ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their vehicle, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Workplace.

The U.S. Attorney’s Business mentioned each individual guy has a legal heritage that features various felony convictions, creating it unlawful for them to have a firearm.

Mercado, Rivera and Mejias pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on March 25, and Scott pleaded responsible Monday. Gonzalez pleaded responsible to the offense, as perfectly as conspiracy to dedicate arson, on May well 4, 2021, the U.S. Attorney’s Workplace stated.

The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon carries a greatest prison phrase of 10 yrs. The five men are in custody while they await sentencing.