David Mercer

BENTON, La. — A former youth pastor who served in northwest Louisiana and Missouri during the 1990s has been charged with 90 counts of child molestation stemming from alleged offenses involving minors in Bossier Parish between 1989 and 1995.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office said David Mercer, 72, of Folsom, was arrested following an investigation that began June 29 into allegations involving four people who were juveniles when the alleged offenses occurred. Investigators determined Mercer lived and worked in Bossier Parish during the period when the alleged crimes took place.

Mercer served as youth minister at Cypress Baptist Church in Benton before resigning in 1995 and also spent time as a youth pastor in Hannibal, Mo., during the 1990s. Authorities said Mercer was serving as a youth pastor at a church in Folsom at the time of his arrest.

On Friday, detectives traveled to Folsom, where Mercer was taken into custody without incident with assistance from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. Investigators also executed a search warrant at his residence.

Mercer was taken to the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Facility on Saturday and booked on 90 counts of forcible fondling/molestation of a juvenile involving four alleged victims. His bond was set at $2.5 million.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional victims and charges are possible.

"We're working with four victims, which are the charges that have been brought against him," Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Matthew Bertrand said. "We haven't had any new victims come out yet. But obviously today, with this information being pushed forward, it's very likely that we will receive information on more victims."

Sheriff Julian Whittington said the age of the allegations does not lessen their seriousness.

"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 said. "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."

Cypress Baptist Church leaders said they were notified about the investigation Thursday and immediately began cooperating with law enforcement.

"Cypress is committed to helping with the justice process however we can," the church said in a statement. "Our deepest prayer is for the victims of this terrible crime."

The church also cited Numbers 6:24-25, stating, "The Lord bless you, and keep you, and make His face shine upon you."

Anyone who may have been a victim of Mercer, or who has information relevant to the investigation, is encouraged to contact Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office detectives at (318) 965-3418.

The Sheriff's Office thanked the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and the Louisiana Attorney General's Office for their assistance in the case.