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

WASHINGTON, DC — An Arlington man was arrested Tuesday night after investigators in Washington, D.C., used DNA to connect him to five sexual assaults that took place in Georgetown between 2008 and 2012.

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.

“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 six rapes,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves said. “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. That hard work led to (the) arrest of Ernesto Mercado. This case, and the Cold Case Initiative itself, are a testament to the law enforcement officers, the prosecutors, and the advocates who never stop working on behalf of the victims.”

Anyone with information about this case or who was a victim of sexual assault in these or other cases is asked to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. Callers can remain anonymous.