A Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Luis Mercado, also known as Yvng Fabii, 24, entered his plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Louis M. Testani, Jeffrey E. Intravatola, and Katerina F. Powers are handling the case. They stated that on February 9, 2024, police stopped Mercado after he fled from a fight at a Buffalo State University basketball game. During the stop, Mercado reportedly raised his arms and said, “I got the thing on me.” When asked for clarification by officers, he replied, “I got the joint on me.” Police then recovered a loaded defaced pistol with a machinegun conversion device and an extended magazine from his waistband.
The investigation involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera; the New York State Police under Major Amie Feroleto; and Buffalo State University Police led by Chief Amy Pedlow.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
