BOSSIER CITY, La. — A Folsom, Louisiana, man faces dozens of child abuse charges following an investigation into historical sex crimes spanning multiple years in Bossier Parish, authorities announced.
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives launched an inquiry on June 29 regarding four underage victims who reported abuse that allegedly took place between 1989 and 1995. Investigators subsequently identified 72-year-old David Mercer as the suspect. According to records, Mercer lived and worked in the area during that timeframe, serving as a youth minister at Cypress Baptist Church of Benton until his resignation in 1995.
With assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, local detectives traveled to Folsom on July 10 to take Mercer into custody. Authorities also executed a search warrant at his home. At the time of his arrest, Mercer was working as a youth pastor at a church in Folsom.
Mercer was transferred to the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Facility on July 11. He was booked on 90 counts of forcible fondling molestation of a juvenile. His bond is set at $2.5 million.
The investigation is active, and authorities anticipate identifying more victims and filing further charges.
Sheriff Julian Whittington stated, “Although nearly 40 years have passed, the passage of time does not lessen the seriousness of these crimes or the impact they have had on those affected. I want to encourage anyone who may have been a victim or witnessed these actions to come forward and contact the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. We are committed to thoroughly investigating these allegations and seeking justice for those who may have been impacted.”
Anyone with information or who believes they were a victim is asked to call detectives at (318) 965-3418.
The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office extended thanks to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for their help with the case.
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