Jan 15, 2026
- Net worth
- Unknown
- Crimes
- drug trafficking, conspiracy
- Convicted of
- Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; supervised release violation (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine)
- Original sentence
- 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; 175 days' imprisonment (December 12, 2012)
- Time served
- ~13 years before commutation
Background
Juan Mercado, III was convicted in the Southern District of Texas in 2012 for his involvement in a large-scale marijuana and cocaine trafficking operation.
The Case
In December 2012, Mercado was sentenced to 20 years (240 months) in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 2,160 kilograms (over 4,700 pounds) of marijuana. He also received an additional 175-day sentence for a supervised release violation related to a separate conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The sheer volume of narcotics involved in Mercado's case made him a high-profile target for federal drug enforcement in South Texas. Mercado served approximately 13 years of his sentence before his commutation in 2026.
The Pardon
On January 15, 2026, President Trump granted Mercado a commutation of sentence.