BOSTON – Another thug off the streets. Derek Mercado, 20, of Lawrence, is facing serious federal heat after being charged with possession of a machinegun – specifically, an Israel Military Industries UZI submachinegun. The bust went down yesterday, but the roots of this case stretch back to a domestic violence incident and a pattern of escalating gang activity plaguing Massachusetts.
According to charging documents, law enforcement put out an alert on May 6, 2025, after a woman reported Mercado had a firearm stashed in a green duffel bag during a domestic dispute. He was already wanted on two unrelated warrants, making him a prime target. Cops spotted him hoofing it away from a residence, still clutching the bag. Inside? A fully loaded UZI with an extended magazine packing 24 rounds. Ballistics tests confirmed it wasn’t just a lookalike – this thing fired.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The Trinitarios, the gang Mercado is allegedly tied to, have been a constant source of bloodshed and chaos across the state. Just last August, three members of the Lawrence Chapter were charged with armed robbery. Fast forward to February 2025, and nearly two dozen members of the Lynn Chapter were indicted for six murders in Lynn and Lawrence. Then, in June, two more Trinitarios were accused of a kidnapping in Andover. This crew is clearly not playing games.
If convicted, Mercado is looking at up to 10 years behind bars, plus up to three years of supervised release and a hefty $250,000 fine. But sentencing is up to the judge, who’ll consider federal guidelines and statutes. This case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide push to crack down on gangs, cartels, and illegal immigration – a broad initiative utilizing resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The announcement of the charges came from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, along with a crew of federal and local law enforcement officials including Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is handling the prosecution.
Let’s be clear: these are just allegations at this point. Mercado is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But the evidence suggests a dangerous individual connected to a violent organization. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you the unvarnished truth about the criminal underworld in Massachusetts.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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