ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that it assisted another law enforcement agency in the arrest of 72-year-old David Mercer, a youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Folsom.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Mercer was taken into custody Friday afternoon and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center as a fugitive. Investigators also executed a search warrant at a residence owned by First Baptist Church of Folsom.
The Sheriff’s Office said its Special Victims Unit assisted with the search of the church-owned residence at the request of the agency leading the investigation.
Authorities allege Mercer sexually abused multiple children during the 1990s. The Sheriff’s Office did not identify the agency leading the case or release additional details about the underlying allegations.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Mercer, or who has information that could assist investigators, is encouraged to contact the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit at (985) 898-2338 or contact their local law enforcement agency.
APR•St TAMMANY will continue to follow this case and provide updates as additional verified information becomes available.
As with all criminal cases, the allegations have been made by law enforcement, and court proceedings will determine the outcome of the case.