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Police: Sex offender illegally living in neighborhood accused of touching child

A sex offender found illegally living in a Casselberry neighborhood now faces a ccharge that he inappropriately touching 6-year-old girl, according to police. 

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 reported in August that Stacy Mercer, 47, claimed to be homeless and living out of his car at the intersection of Silver Star Road and Orange Blossom Trail in Orange County, when he was really living in a Casselberry home with his sister.

The victim’s mother said the incident happened a couple times on her porch and a neighbor’s porch while Mercer showed the girl a movie on his phone.
According to Casselberry police, Mercer attempted to register the Casselberry address, which is his sister’s home, in 2010, 2012 and 2015, but was denied because of the home’s proximity to a playground.
Since 2015, Mercer has claimed to be homeless and listed an intersection as his address.
When he faced a judge on his new charge Thursday, he was unapologetic.
“This is a case, if they had proof, they would have charged me months ago,” Mercer said.
The young girl lived a few doors down from Mercer on Wingo Drive.
The girl’s mother, who Channel 9 is not identifying, said that she had no idea Mercer was a sex offender.
Police said they did not know Mercer was living in the neighborhood illegally until they came to investigate the victim’s claims in August.
A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said she knew Mercer was a sex offender from a 2006 conviction in New Jersey and was surprised to find he was living close to a playground.
She said Mercer told her he was allowed to live there because he was taking care of his mentally ill sister.
Mercer is being held in jail without bond.
He will go before a judge later this month on a charge of failing to notify law enforcement of his address.