By Gary Mays

gmays@themonroetimes.com

MONROE — A pair of alleged child sex offenders appeared in court separately last week to answer the felony charges against them.

Adam Mercado, 21, of Beloit, is charged with several felonies — first degree child sexual assault, child enticement, exposing genitals to a child, and attempted first degree child sexual assault. Mercado appeared in court Monday on the charges, waiving a preliminary hearing before Circuit Judge Jane Bucher. 

The alleged victim in Mercado’s case was 14, according to court records. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, and Mercado remains in custody on $25,0000 bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 21.

Separately, Isaiah W. Cook, 18, is charged with several felonies, including two counts of repeated sexual assault of the same child, second-degree sexual assault of a child, possession of child pornography, exposing child to harmful material, attempted possession of child pornography, and attempted possession of child pornography.  Cook appeared in court on the charges Tuesday before Circuit Judge Faun Phillipson. The alleged victim was 14.

Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, and he is free on a $20,000 signature bond and is scheduled to appear again for arraignment on May 28. The alleged victim in the case was under 13.

If convicted, both men face potentially decades in state prison on the charges.