BOSTON - A Chelsea man was convicted today in federal court on gun possession charges.
Baudilio Mercado, 37, of Chelsea, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris to two counts of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Had the case proceeded to trial the Government’s evidence would have proven that on April 30, 2010, a Massachusetts State Trooper stopped a vehicle operated by Mercado for observed traffic violations. During conversation with Mercado it was determined that his license was suspended. The trooper conducted a search of the vehicle, during which time a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a magazine with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered.
Mercado later admitted to participating in the purchase of the weapon that day from a New York sporting goods store. Mercado additionally admitted, that on April 27, 2010, he participated in the purchase of a Hi-Point .380 caliber pistol at the same NH sporting goods store, and that he sold that gun to an individual in Chelsea. The weapon was later recovered on May 13, 2010.
Judge Saris scheduled sentencing for June 22, 2012. Mercado faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years and up to life in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine on each count.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Boston Field Division; and Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Crowley and Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
