A Danbury man has been sentenced for his role in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Bridgeport business where he worked.  33-year old George Rivera, also known as Pito, was ordered to 10 year in prison, followed by 3 years supervised release. 

Early one morning in April of 2018, Bridgeport Police attempted to stop a car with no tail lights, but the driver took off.  Police saw several items tossed from the window and were able to pull the car over several blocks away.  Officers arrested Luis Mercado, who was driving, and Dominick Gonzalez, and recovered two loaded handguns and a quantity of marijuana that had been thrown from the car.  A search of the car also revealed a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars, and a container of gasoline. 

The investigation revealed that Mercado, Gonzalez, Rivera, Jason Scott and Luis Mejias were involved in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Wood Avenue Body Shop where the individual worked.  Rivera, Scott and Mejias 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. 

Each defendant has a criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions. Rivera’s criminal history includes convictions for firearm, drug, burglary, robbery and assault offenses. 

Mercado, Mejias and Scott were each sentenced earlier this week to 10 years of imprisonment.  Gonzalez awaits sentencing.