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DNA evidence doomed Ernesto Mercado, 54, who has been charged in connection to at least five sexual offenses that were reported in the Georgetown area of DC between 2008 and 2012.
"As yesterday's arrest demonstrates, advancements in technology and collaboration among law enforcement partners can lead to breakthroughs in cases that have previously gone unsolved,” acting FBI Special Agent in Charge David Geist said.
According to court documents, Mercado was linked to home invasion rapes in Northwest DC by forensics, resulting in his arrest this week more than a decade later.
The complaint states that evidence testing in all five cases yielded the same unknown male's DNA profile which also matched a DNA profile for a separate offense that occurred just off the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park, tying them back to Mercado.
"Thanks to DNA evidence from the rape kits of courageous survivors, improvements in DNA technology, and the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners and our prosecutors, we were able to link these rapes," US Attorney Matthew Graves stated.
"Once we had a DNA profile of the suspect, the team used every forensic tool at its disposal, as well as old-fashioned detective work, to identify the person behind this DNA profile
Prosecutors said that in multiple attacks, the women were sleeping when Mercado began his assault. Once they woke up, he would then flee the area.
Mercado is accused of sexual assaults on:
- June 26, 2008;
- July 10, 2009;
- Feb. 28, 2010;
- Aug. 29, 2010;
- Aug. 31, 2012.
He was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with three counts of first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances and five counts of second-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances
“For the past 16 years, our Sexual Assault Unit detectives have continued to follow-up on leads and connect the cases together – looking for patterns, evidence, and a suspect,” Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith added.
“We know that people often want answers right away in cases, but our detectives never gave up
Mercado was ordered to be held pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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