Danbury Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Arson, Murder Plot: Feds

DANBURY, CT — A federal judge sentenced George "Pito" Rivera, 33, of Danbury, to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a murder and arson scheme.

The decision came down Wednesday in Bridgeport Superior Court.

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

Rivera, Jason Scott of Bridgeport, and Luis Mejias of Waterbury were arrested later that morning at a hotel in Milford.

A search of a hotel room 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. Investigators also located a seized packaged heroin, ecstasy pills, marijuana, a digital scale and other items in the room, and ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their car, according to federal authorities.

Police said the subsequent investigation revealed that Mercado, Gonzalez, Rivera, Scott and Mejias were involved in a plan to murder someone and set fire to the Wood Avenue Body Shop in Bridgeport where the target worked.

On March 25, Rivera pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. Mercado, Gonzalez, Mejias and Scott also pleaded guilty, and Mercado, Mejias and Scott were each sentenced earlier this week to 10 years of imprisonment. Gonzalez awaits sentencing, according to federal authorities.