Angel X. Mercado-Jimenez Arrested

SAN JUAN—On August 20, 2013, Angel X. Mercado-Jimenez was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Mercado-Jimenez is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition in or affecting interstate commerce.

The criminal complaint alleges that on August 8, 2013, Orlando Hernandez-Figueroa and Angel X. Mercado-Jimenez, aka Xavy, arrived separately to Pizzeria Dorimar, Isabela, Puerto Rico.

Surveillance video recordings from the Pizzeria Dorimar show that Hernandez-Figueroa and Mercado-Jimenez spoke to each other while they were at the Pizzeria Dorimar. The video also shows that Mercado-Jimenez used a cell phone while he was at the Pizzeria Dorimar. The video show that approximately 11:44 p.m. Hernandez-Figueroa and Mercado-Jimenez departed the pizzeria together in the victim’s vehicle, a 2002 green Mazda Protégé. The video shows that the victim was driving his vehicle.

Another video recording from this time shows that the victim’s vehicle traveled in the direction of Barrio Mora, Sector los Borges. A few minutes later, witnesses at Pizzeria Dorimar and the surrounding area reported hearing gunshots.

The victim was found dead on the ground in the area of Barrio Mora, Sector Los Borges. In addition, 14 .40 caliber bullet shell casings were found at the scene. The victim had $21 in his hand and $14 and three bags of cocaine in his pockets. A gold chain worn by the victim was missing.

A search warrant was issued on August 19, 2013, authorizing a search of two residences located at Barrio Cotto Militar, Sector Los Borges # 9, Isabela, Puerto Rico.

The following items were obtained from one of the residences. Most of the items were located in his room where at the moment of the search warrant Mercado-Jimenez was sleeping with the door closed.

• One loaded M16 magazine with 22 rounds caliber 223 found under the mattress
• One box of ammunition, three .40 rounds, and 19 .45 rounds
• Thirty-four leafy substance bags with appearance of marijuana
• One pair of tennis shoes
• Black and red baseball cap
• One black cellular phone
• Fake license plate, FFR 022
• Two gray ski masks and gloves

If convicted, the defendant faces up to a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Justin Martin and is being investigated by the FBI and the Police of Puerto Rico.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.