Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Troy Oswald announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jessi Mercado, 25-years old, from Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested on December 14, in relation to a shooting investigation that took place that a few hours earlier in the area of Elm Street Paterson.
Police say Mr. Mercado is charged with Aggravated Assault, Second Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Second Degree; and Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree.
According to police, on December 13, at approximately 10:24 p.m. members of the Paterson Police Department responded to the area of Elm Street Paterson on a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival the police located a 24-year-old male Paterson resident who sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound.
The victim was immediately transported to Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson for treatment.
Based on the investigation police say Mr. Mercado was identified as the individual who shot the victim and was arrested.
The sentencing exposure for Mr. Mercado on Second Degree Aggravated Assault is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 3years parole supervision; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act; and on Second Degree Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 42 months of parole ineligibility pursuant to the Graves Act.
The State intends to file a motion for pretrial detention in this matter that will be heard by a Superior Court Judge.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.