Gainesville Man Arrested for Rape to be Held While Case is Ongoing

Marlon Herber Mercado Esquilin, 44, was arrested on Thursday and charged with sexual battery. 

The rape occurred during March 2022 and a sworn complaint charge on Esquilin was filed in September 2024. 

Esquilin was coming over for a housewarming party and may have drugged the victim, as the sworn complaint states she blacked out without having a lot to drink. 

Esquilin could not explain to police why his DNA was found on the victim’s clothes with a sexual assault kit. 

The State Attorney’s Office filed a motion of pretrial detention on Esquilin and it was granted today by Judge James Colaw today.