CASSELBERRY, Fla. – A convicted sexual offender is accused of inappropriately touching a child on two occasions as they watched movies together, according to the Casselberry Police Department.
The victim's mother contacted police on Aug. 8 after her 6-year-old daughter told her that Stacy Mercer, 47, had touched her inappropriately, according to the report.
Police said they spoke to the victim, who told them that one incident happened as the victim and Mercer were watching a LEGO movie on a neighbor's couch and the other incident happened while they were watching "The Boss Baby."
The victim's mother said it's not uncommon for Mercer to interact with children in the Casselberry neighborhood, according to the report.
Mercer told police that he let the victim watch movies on his phone but he did not watch movies with the victim because he is a sex offender, the warrant said.
Law enforcement records show that Mercer was convicted of sexual assault in another state in 2006. He has also faced child pornography charges in the past. Mercer has also been accused of failing to comply with registration laws.
An official from the Casselberry Police Department said Mercer was living in the Sunset neighborhood where the alleged crime occurred illegally because he failed to register as a sex offender at that address.
Mercer was arrested Wednesday on a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12.
In his first court appearance Thursday afternoon, Mercer denied the allegations. The public defender advised he shouldn't speak.
"This is a case, if they had proof, they would have arrested me six months ago," Mercer said.
"Sir, you're probably better off getting a lawyer and not talking because it's going to hurt you," the public defender said.
Mercer also requested the judge grant him bond.
"I turned myself in. I did not run. As soon as the warrant was issued for my arrest, I came right in the same day and turned myself in, so I am asking for bond. I am not a flight risk," he said.
The judge denied him bond. He'll remain in jail until his next court appearance scheduled for January.