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The victims were all young women attending college and recent graduates.
WASHINGTON — More than a decade after an unknown predator terrorized young women in the Georgetown area with a string of home invasion rapes, police say the man responsible has been arrested.
Ernesto Ramon Mercado, 54, of Arlington, faces three counts of first-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances and five counts of second-degree sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances. The charges cover five alleged assaults in the Georgetown area and one near the University of Maryland College Park. Mercado was arrested Tuesday and made his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in D.C. Superior Court, where he was ordered heled without bond.
Between 2008 and 2012, officials say Mercado forced his way into his victims' homes late at night after they'd returned from evenings out. Because of the darkness and confusion, many of the women were unable to provide a detailed description of their assailant.
"He targeted sleeping and intoxicated victims in their homes with the intent of raping them," lead Detective Alexander Mac Bean said Wednesday during a press conference announcing Mercado's arrest. "Once his victims woke up, he fled the scene.”
The investigation has been ongoing for at least 16 years, and has been in the hands of MPD's Cold Case Team for the last 10. According to an affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court, a DNA sample submitted for genetic genealogical testing in 2019 eventually led investigators to Mercado as their chief suspect.
The string of sexual assaults and home invasions garnered intense media coverage around the D.C. area. At the time, many outlets called the serial rapist the "Georgetown Cuddler," a name Mac Bean said did even more harm to those already victimized.
“Over the years, this term has only caused more harm to our victims," he said. "This man is a predator and his intent was not to cuddle these women but instead his intent was to rape them.”
The attacks Mercado is charged with were reported between June 26, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2012. The victims were all young women attending college and recent graduates.
“The seriousness of these offenses and the complexity of investigating them is part of the reason there is a longer statute of limitations for our most serious sexual assault offenses than there is for most other crimes that we prosecute,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves
DNA rape kits were conducted on several of the victims and years later testing showed that the same person attacked the victims.
“While this was an important break through, it only showed that the same person committed these six offenses, it did not tell us who the perpetrator was,” said Graves.
Officials say investigators used forensic tools and detective work to identify Mercado, who was taken into custody without incident Tuesday night.
Mercado faces up to life in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 10.
Meanwhile, police continue to search for any other possible victims. If you, or someone you know, was attacked or recognizes Mercado, police say to call detectives at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. You can remain anonymous.
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