BOSTON — A Trinitarios gang member from Lawrence has been charged with possession of an Uzi machine gun, federal authorities said.
Derek Mercado, 20, appeared in federal court in connection with a criminal complaint charging him with possessing an Uzi-brand submachine gun with an extended magazine with 24 rounds, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Leah Foley.
Mercado is already in state custody for domestic violence offenses, authorities said.
According to court documents, Mercado is alleged to be a member of the Trinitarios gang, “a violent criminal enterprise responsible for numerous murders and acts of violence across Massachusetts.”
Investigators said an alert to arrest Mercado was broadcast by law enforcement on the morning of May 6 following a report of a domestic violence incident. The victim reported that Mercado was allegedly in possession of a firearm in a green duffel bag.
At the time, Mercado who had an outstanding warrant on two unrelated matters, was later observed exiting a residence while allegedly possessing a green duffel bag, authorities said.
When he was arrested, Mercado had an Israel Military Industries UZI model submachine gun containing an extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds in the green bag, according to the statement.
The Uzi was later test fired and determined to be a functional machine gun, investigators said.
According to the statement, in August 2024, three members of the Lawrence Chapter of the Trinitarios were charged with an armed robbery. In February 2025, nearly two dozen members of the Lynn chapter of the Trinitarios were charged with committing six murders in Lynn and Lawrence. In June 2025, two Trinitarios members were charged with committing a kidnapping in Andover.
The charge of possessing a machine gun carries a maximum penalty as much as 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case. Mallard is a former Essex County prosecutor.
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