BOSTON— A 20-year-old alleged member of the notorious Trinitarios gang is facing a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to possessing a loaded UZI machinegun. Derek Mercado, a Lawrence resident, admitted to the charge in federal court, leaving authorities stunned at his brazen choice of weaponry.

Mercado’s guilty plea came before U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, who has set sentencing for February 18, 2026. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a hefty fine of $250,000. Federal prosecutors report that Mercado is already in state custody due to prior domestic violence offenses.

The case against Mercado escalated on May 6, 2025, when law enforcement issued an alert for his arrest following a domestic violence incident. Reports indicate that the victim revealed Mercado possessed a firearm hidden in a green duffel bag. When authorities apprehended him, they discovered an Israel Military Industries UZI model submachinegun, complete with an extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds. A subsequent test confirmed the UZI was functional, ready for use.

This incident is part of a broader crackdown on the Trinitarios, a violent criminal enterprise responsible for multiple murders across Massachusetts. Just last year, three members of the Lawrence chapter faced charges for an alleged armed robbery, while nearly two dozen members from the Lynn chapter were implicated in a series of murders. As part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations, authorities are ramping up efforts to reclaim communities from gangs like the Trinitarios.

Images from the official U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts press release.

Federal authorities continue to investigate the extensive criminal activities linked to the Trinitarios, with Mercado’s case shining a spotlight on the gang's dangerous operations. As the sentencing date approaches, the public awaits the outcome of this alarming case.