Worcester Man Charged Sexually Exploiting Two Young Teen Girls

Thursday, November 28, 2024, 10:40 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BOSTON, MA.- On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, a 26-year-old Worcester, Massachusetts, man currently in Massachusetts State Custody for child sex crimes, including the aggravated rape of two children, was federally charged for his alleged sexual assault of two young girls and filming the horrific assaults.

     Antonio Merced, 26, of Worcester, was criminally charged by federal complaint with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. Merced, who is currently in state custody on related offenses, will appear in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts for arraignment at a date to be determined by the court.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and charging information filed in the federal complaint alleges that on or about July 13, 2024, Merced created two video recordings of himself sexually assaulting two young teen girls.

     Merced was previously arrested in September 2024 and charged in Worcester District Court with three counts of Dissemination of Obscene Material to a Minor; and one count of Gross Lewdness and Lascivious Behavior, Dissemination of Child Pornography; Intimidation, Enticing a Child Under the Age of Sixteen; and two counts of Aggravated Rape of a Child.

     If convicted on the charge of sexual exploitation of a minor, Merced faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants  are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”