Springfield man sentenced to 17 years for meth trafficking conspiracy

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a drug-trafficking conspiracy.

Herman G. Mercado, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 17 years and six months in federal prison without parole.

On Jan. 24, 2023, Mercado pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Mercado was the leader of a drug-trafficking conspiracy responsible for the distribution of 3.99 kilograms of cocaine, 61.57 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 2,440 kilograms of marijuana from April 19, 2017, to Oct. 2, 2019. Mercado admitted that he sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy to a law enforcement confidential informant on several occasions.

In October 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the residence of Mercado’s daughter in Springfield. Officers seized 5.382 kilograms of methamphetamine that belonged to Mercado.

Mercado was convicted in the Middle District of Pennsylvania for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, for which he received a 10-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release. During his period of supervised release, Mercado engaged in the drug distribution activity in this case.

Mercado is the fourth defendant sentenced in this case. Daniel T. Sutton, 25, of Springfield, was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison without parole. Carmine Guzmanperalta, 34, address unknown, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole. William O. Evans, 54, of Springfield, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison without parole. Co-defendants Alex Santiago-Negron, Jr., 28, address unknown, and Colleen A. Mahon, 28, of Springfield, have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.