POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Advances in DNA technology have led to the arrest of a 63-year-old man in connection with a 2009 armed home invasion and sexual assault, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) announced Monday.
Detectives identified Wisler Marcellus as the suspect after a renewed DNA analysis linked him to the brutal attack that occurred more than 16 years ago. He was arrested late last month and charged with armed sexual battery and burglary.
The 2009 Attack
According to investigators, the crime took place around 3:30 a.m. on June 19, 2009, when Marcellus — then 47 — allegedly broke into a Pompano Beach home through the window of an unoccupied bedroom. Inside, a 36-year-old mother and her children were asleep.
Deputies said Marcellus entered the woman’s room, held a gun to her head, and ordered her to stand before sexually assaulting her while her children slept nearby. He then stole her purse before fleeing the scene.
The victim described her attacker as a man with a strong body odor, wearing a dark mask and gloves, but she didn’t know his identity.
DNA Evidence and Breakthrough
Detectives collected DNA evidence from the scene and, three months later, developed a profile of an unknown male suspect. However, no match was found in existing databases at the time, and the case went cold.
Years later, as DNA technology advanced, investigators revisited the evidence. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) used its Qualifying Offender DNA Database, which identifies possible relatives of suspects through genetic profiles.
The new testing revealed a connection to a known offender — Marcellus’ son — whose DNA was already on file due to a prior conviction. That discovery led detectives to focus on Marcellus.
When investigators learned Marcellus had recently traveled to Haiti, they secured a DNA search warrant and obtained a sample upon his Oct. 20 return to Miami International Airport.
The test confirmed a match to the 2009 crime scene evidence. Deputies arrested Marcellus eight days later.
In Custody Without Bond
As of Monday, Marcellus remains held without bond at the BSO Main Jail.
BSO officials said the case underscores how new DNA tools are helping detectives deliver long-overdue justice in cold cases.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Leave a Reply