Danbury Man Plotted To Kill Person, Set Fire To Business: Feds

DANBURY, CT — A Danbury resident is among five men who pleaded guilty to to charges in connection with a plan to kill a man and set fire to the Bridgeport business where he worked, according to federal officials.

In the past week, the following men pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut:

• George Rivera, 33, of Danbury;
• Luis Mercado, 55, of Bridgeport;
• Jason Scott, 39, of Bridgeport;
• Luis Mejias, 35, of Waterbury.

Dominick Gonzalez, 31, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to the offense, and also to a charge of conspiracy to commit arson, on May 4, 2021, the news release said.

In the early morning hours of April 2, 2018, Bridgeport police tried to stop a car with unlit taillights, according to the news release. The vehicle fled from police and, during the pursuit, officers saw several items thrown from its windows, the news release said. The car eventually stopped, and officers arrested Mercado, who was driving, and Gonzalez, and recovered two loaded handguns and marijuana that had been thrown from the vehicle, according to the news release. A search of the car also revealed a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars, and a container of gasoline, the news release said.

Mercado, Gonzalez, Rivera, Scott and Mejias were involved in a plan to kill a person and set fire to the Wood Avenue Body Shop in Bridgeport, where the victim worked, the investigation revealed, according to the news release.

Rivera, Scott and Mejias were arrested later at a hotel in Milford, according to the news release. A search revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson model M&P 15-22 caliber rifle, a loaded Taurus "Judge" revolver, a loaded Anderson Manufacturing AR-15 multi-caliber rifle, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, additional ammunition, brass knuckles, binoculars, gloves and a knit mask, the news release said. Investigators also found packaged heroin, ecstasy pills, marijuana, a digital scale and other items, and ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their car, according to the news release.

Each defendant has a criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions, the news release said. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce, according to the news release.

The charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, the news release said, adding the defendants are being detained while awaiting sentencing.