Ernesto Mercado, a 54-year-old man, has been arrested by the police on charges related to five home-invasion sexual assaults that occurred between 2008 and 2012 in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. His DNA has also been linked to a sixth attack in Maryland in 2009. This arrest is a significant breakthrough for cold case investigators who have been trying to identify the man known as the “Georgetown Cuddler,” a nickname that has been criticized for trivializing the seriousness of the attacks.
During a news conference, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department condemned the term “cuddler,” emphasizing that Mercado’s intent was to rape his victims, not to cuddle them. Investigators used various tools, including genetic genealogy techniques, to identify Mercado as the suspect in these assaults. The attacks took place late at night or just before dawn, with the perpetrator gaining entry to the victims’ homes through methods such as cutting window screens or smashing glass doors.
After identifying Mercado as a suspect, investigators attempted to obtain his DNA surreptitiously by placing a GPS tracker on his car and installing a pole camera near his residence. Ultimately, they obtained a search warrant to perform a cheek swab, which matched the DNA found on the victims. Mercado, who graduated from the University of Maryland College Park in 1995, is facing eight counts of felony sexual abuse and could potentially receive a life sentence if convicted of sexual offenses involving two different victims.
Authorities suspect that Mercado may be connected to numerous other crimes, including home-invasion sexual assaults, burglaries, and voyeurism in Georgetown and College Park from 2006 to 2012. They are urging anyone who may have information related to these cases or who may have been a victim of sexual assault to come forward and contact the police.
Mercado is currently being held without bond, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 10th. The investigation into these crimes is ongoing, and law enforcement officials are working to bring justice to the victims and ensure the safety of the community.
