According to a report from KSLA, authorities in Bossier Parish have arrested a 72-year-old man identified as a former youth pastor for multiple alleged child sex offenses dating back nearly four decades.

David Mercer, of Folsom, Louisiana, faces 90 counts of forcible fondling of a juvenile involving four known victims. The incidents are alleged to have occurred between 1989 and 1995 while Mercer lived and worked in Bossier Parish.

Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives launched their investigation on June 29 following allegations involving the four child victims. Investigators confirmed that Mercer had resided and been employed in the parish during the timeframe of the reported offenses. At the time, he served as a youth minister at Cypress Baptist Church of Benton before resigning from that position in 1995.

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On July 10, detectives traveled to Folsom and, with assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, took Mercer into custody without incident. A search warrant was executed at his home during the arrest. At the time, Mercer was employed as a youth pastor at a local church in Folsom.

He was transported to the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Facility on July 11 and booked on the charges. His bond was set at $2.5 million.

Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington addressed the significance of pursuing justice despite the passage of time. “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,” Whittington stated.

“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.”

The investigation remains active, with officials indicating that additional charges and victims may emerge. The sheriff’s office is urging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Mercer or possesses relevant information to contact Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives at (318) 965-3418.