Former Florida prosecutor Juan Mercado has been arrested over allegations he offered help on a criminal case in exchange for sex. Photo: Miami-Dade Jail.Sex in Exchange for Legal Services? Miami Lawyer Arrested on Bribery Charges
The attorney was taken to Miami-Dade jail, where he posted bond.
February 13, 2020 at 11:51 AM
2 minute read
Miami attorney Juan Mercado, 29, has been arrested on bribery charges over allegations he offered to help a woman's pending criminal case "go away" in exchange for sex.
His arrest followed an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which alleged Mercado had sex with a defendant facing domestic battery charges.
Mercado was not assigned to the woman's case, but accessed her records and gave her advice, according to the FDLE.
Mercado was assistant state attorney in Charlotte County in Southwest Florida between 2017 and 2019. He has since entered private practice. His firm, Mercado Law, specializes in criminal and DUI defense cases. He's prosecuted more than 30 criminal trials, according to his firm's website, and moved to criminal defense "after realizing how many people were being unjustly convicted."
Mercado was taken to Miami-Dade Jail Wednesday, and has since posted bond. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The investigation began in April 2019, according to an executive order from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The executive order accepted State Attorney Amira Fox's voluntary disqualification from the case. Fox stepped down to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. The Office of the State Attorney for 12th Judicial Circuit , which covers Desoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties, will now prosecute the case.
Mercado was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 2017, and is licensed to practice in the Southern District of Florida. He holds a law degree from Florida International University.
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