October 26, 2025 – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials report that detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Victims Bureau are continuing their investigation of an incident in which 42-year-old Elmer Mercado was arrested for lascivious acts upon a minor and annoying and molesting of a minor.

On October 21, 2025, deputies assigned to West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station responded to a call in which two juveniles reported that as they walked on the 1000 block of Havenhurst Drive, West Hollywood, the suspect followed them and assaulted one of them.

Elmer Mercado was arrested under booking # 7117861.  On October 23, 2025, the District Attorney’s Office filed two misdemeanor counts 647.6(a)(1) PC under case number 25ARCM05017; he remains in custody with a $100,000 bail with a pending court date.

Based on the nature of the allegations, detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims.  Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying any such victims.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department - Special Victims Bureau is tasked with investigating the sexual and physical abuse of children and felonious sexual assaults involving adult victims.  Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at (877) 710-5273 or by email at: specialvictimsbureau@lasd.org. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website: https://lacrimestoppers.org.

Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department