D.C.- 5 Cold-Case Sexual Assaults in Georgetown, 2008 - 2012, linked by DNA to Arlington Man, Ernesto Mercado, 54, *Arrest 2024*

[dotr]

Oct 3, 2024

5 Cold-Case Sexual Assaults In DC Linked To Arlington Man: Police

Investigators used DNA evidence to link a 54-year-old Arlington man to five home-invasion attacks in D.C. between 2008 and 2012, police say.

patch.com

''Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department charged Ernesto Mercado, 54, with three counts of first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances and five counts of second-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances, for five previously unsolved home invasion arrests, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Investigators used DNA to link Mercado to the five unsolved sexual assaults that occurred in the District on June 26, 2008; July 10, 2009; Feb. 28, 2010; Aug. 29, 2010; and Aug. 31, 2012, according to court records.''

 

[dotr]

Oct 2, 2024
DISTURBING COLD CASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS... NOW SOLVED MORE THAN A DECADE LATER.

 

[dotr]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/oct/2/ernesto-ramon-mercado-georgetown-cuddler-arrested-/

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times - Wednesday, October 2, 2024 rbbm
''After over a decade-long investigation, D.C. authorities said Wednesday they arrested the elusive “Georgetown Cuddler” — a mysterious man linked to several rapes in the District and Maryland where the attacker broke into women’s homes and preyed on them while they were sleeping.''

''Det. Alexander MacBean, who had been working the case since 2012, said the assailant in the case was likely a “Peeping Tom” who stalked his victims — all of whom were young, college-aged women who had been out drinking prior to the attacks.''
'He is being kept behind bars until his next court date scheduled for Oct. 10. '

Alleged serial rapist linked to several unsolved cases in DC and Maryland arrested

D.C. Police and federal law enforcement officers announced the arrest of a serial rapist linked to five cold cases in Washington, D.C. and one in College PArk,

wjla.com

''Mercado is facing life in prison if convicted.
7News found a LinkedIn profile matching Mercado's description that states he was UMD graduate, worked in cybersecurity, and volunteered as a youth soccer coach in Arlington, where police say he resides.''

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Oct 2, 2024
DISTURBING COLD CASE SEXUAL ASSAULTS... NOW SOLVED MORE THAN A DECADE LATER.

Who knew what a whirlwind of cold cases we would experience as SOLVED. How many people are shaking in their boots? How many might be deterred?

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1841928491094142982

 

[dotr]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/oct/3/arlington-neighbors-stunned-georgetown-cuddler-sus/

By Matt Delaney - October 3, 2024 rbbm.
''One resident told The Washington Times she was “totally shocked” to hear that authorities have charged Ernesto Ramon Mercado with the sexual assaults of six victims between 2008 and 2012 in the Georgetown and College Park areas.''

''Court documents said Mr. Mercado has lived on 1st Street South since 2011. His wife, minor daughter and other family members have lived at the residence.''

'He has close family in Honduras, the filing said, and investigators believe he may have visited the country in January and June of this year.''

''Investigators also secured a warrant to place a GPS tracker on Mr. Mercado’s car, and police suggested he worked as a rideshare driver in Clarendon and Georgetown since he regularly left his house late at night.''

''Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said Mr. Mercado is also a suspect in dozens of other sexual assaults, burglaries and voyeurism cases that took place during the same time as the charged offenses.''