The federal courthouse in Bridgeport. Two men were each sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday for their roles in a plan to murder the owner of a Bridgeport auto shop and then burn down the business.

BRIDGEPORT — Two men were each sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday for their roles in a plan to murder the owner of a Bridgeport auto shop and then burn down the business, according to federal prosecutors.

Luis Mercado, also known as “Pops,” 55, of Bridgeport; Luis Mejias, also known as “Kermit,” 35, of Waterbury, as well as three others, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the plan.

Law enforcement discovered the plan after trying to stop a car with its taillights off April 2, 2018. Around 1:30 a.m., Bridgeport police patrolling the West Side of the city tried to stop a Toyota Carolla on Elmwood Avenue that was driving without its taillights on.

The car, which was being driven by Mercado, fled from police. As officers chased the car, they saw the driver and passenger throw a clear plastic bag and shiny, metal-like objects out of the window, according to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and an incident report from police.

The car then stopped several blocks away. There, officers arrested Mercado and Dominick Gonzalez, also known as “Dom,” 31, of Bridgeport. Inside the car, officers found a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars and a container of gasoline, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

Later, officers found two loaded handguns and a plastic bag with 10.5 grams of marijuana inside that had been thrown out of the car, according to an incident report from police.

Police discovered that Mercado; Gonzalez; Mejias; George Rivera, also known as “Pito,” 33, of Danbury; and Jason Scott, also known as “Hood,” 39, of Bridgeport, had a plan to murder the owner of a Bridgeport body shop and later set the business on fire, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Mejias, Rivera and Scott were arrested later that morning at a hotel in Milford. In the hotel, police found 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 pills, marijuana, a digital scales and other items in the room, as well as ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their car, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said each man’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, making it illegal for them to possess a firearm.

In March, Mercado, Rivera, Mejias and Scott each pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to the same offense, as well as conspiracy to commit arson, on May 4, 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport sentenced Mercado and Mejias to 10 years in prison — the maximum prison term for the offenses — followed by three years of supervised release on Monday.

Gonzalez, Rivera and Scott await sentencing.

Liz Hardaway is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media through the Hearst Fellowship Program.

She previously worked at the San Antonio Express-News to help cover city hall and local issues. She also worked at the Sun Newspapers in Southwest Florida as a general assignment reporter covering politics, business, and health. 

Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. She enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her dachshund, Finn.