A former police officer from Cedar Hill, Texas, Donald Najee Mercer, has been sentenced to 300 days in the Ellis County Jail following a jury’s conviction for official oppression related to a traffic stop in 2024. The sentencing was confirmed by the Ellis County and District Attorney’s Office.
Mercer, a resident of Dallas County, was found guilty on June 10 of a misdemeanor offense after the jury opted against granting him probation. The case stemmed from an incident on August 7, 2024, during which Mercer, in full uniform and driving a police vehicle, conducted a traffic stop that culminated in the arrest of a woman for suspected driving while intoxicated.
During the trial, evidence unveiled that after administering sobriety tests, the woman disclosed she had marijuana in her possession. It was revealed that Mercer and the detainee engaged in kissing, and he confiscated the marijuana but failed to document it in his police report or submit it as evidence. Instead, he later informed the woman that the marijuana had been “disposed of.”
After the hospital visit for a blood draw, Mercer transported the woman to a Navarro College parking lot in Midlothian, where he allegedly turned off his vehicle’s lights and deactivated his body camera. Prosecutors stated that he then solicited oral sex from the woman, who declined his advances.
During the sentencing phase, jurors were presented with additional allegations against Mercer, including testimonies from at least two other women who accused him of similar misconduct during traffic stops. One woman alleged that Mercer groped her, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior where he allegedly disabled his body camera to hide his actions.
Assistant County and District Attorney Christopher Schwieg emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “The citizens of Ellis County deserve to know they are going to be safe when they are pulled over. This was an egregious abuse of power.” The jury’s decision to impose jail time instead of probation was seen as a reflection of the community’s demand for high standards from law enforcement officials.
The investigation into Mercer’s actions was conducted by Cedar Hill Assistant Police Chief Colin Chenault and Texas Ranger Woody Gosser.
