FOLSOM (LA)
WGEM [Quincy, IL]
July 10, 2026
By FOX 8 Staff and Jayla Louis
A youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Folsom in Louisiana was arrested Friday, July 10 after investigators said he sexually abused multiple children during the 1990s, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office said.
David Mercer, 72, was taken into custody Friday afternoon and is being held at the St. Tammany Parish jail.
Deputies also searched a residence owned by First Baptist Church of Folsom on Friday as part of the investigation.
Former member of Hannibal’s Fifth Street Baptist Church youth group Lacey Blue confirmed to WGEM News that Mercer was her youth pastor at the church in the 1990s. She said she was not a victim of Mercer, nor knows any of the victims who came forward.
Missouri court records do not show any charges against Mercer in Marion or Ralls County.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of Mercer, or who has information that could help investigators, is asked to call the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 898-2338 or contact their local law enforcement agency.
According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mercer was released from jail on Saturday.