(LA)
KSLA, Ch. 12 [Shreveport LA and Texarkana TX]
July 13, 2026
By Bailey Thomas
These incidents allegedly happened between 1989 and 1995, says police
A Folsom, Louisiana man has been arrested by the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office (BPSO) after an investigation into multiple child sex offenses.
David Mercer, 72, of Folsom, Louisiana, was identified as the suspect in this case during the course of the investigation, says BPSO.
Detectives began investigating allegations involving, at this time, 4 child victims on June 29.
These incidents allegedly happened between 1989 and 1995 in Bossier Parish, says police.
It was confirmed by investigators that Mercer lived and worked in Bossier Parish when these offenses allegedly happened.
BPSO says Mercer was employed as a youth minister at Cypress Baptist Church of Benton, but resigned from that position in 1995.
Detectives went to Folsom, Louisiana, on July 10 and arrested Mercer without any problems with the help of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
When he was arrested, detectives searched Mercer’s home with a warrant, says BPSO.
Mercer was employed as a youth pastor at a local church in Folsom at the time of his arrest.
He was taken to the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Facility on July 11, where he was booked on 90 counts of forcible fondling molestation of a juvenile, involving 4 victims, says BPSO.
Mercer’s bond has been set at two million 500 thousand dollars.
Sheriff of BPSO, Julian Whittington, stated, “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. 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.”
BPSO says the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges and victims are expected.
The sheriff’s office encourages anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Mr. Mercer, or who has information relevant to this investigation, to contact the BPSO detectives at (318) 965-3418.