Seven more surface in abuse case

In the six weeks since Little Havana plumber David Mendez was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting two young sisters, seven other accusers have come forward ranging in ages from 5 to 23.

The cases go back 15 years, involving both males and females, police said. When they searched Mendez's house after his arrest, police said they found videos and DVDs of Mendez performing sexual acts with at least six children.

Police think there are many more victims. Mendez, they said, is a serial pedophile.

''This is a very sensitive case. If we give out too much information it can lead to the identification of a child,'' said Miami Detective Katherine Baker. ``This man was in a trusted position with all the victims.''

Police were so concerned they called a news conference at Miami police headquarters Friday afternoon, with Baker, who rarely addresses the media, speaking briefly. Police wouldn't say what ''trusted position'' Mendez held, nor how he came into contact with children.

Police also released a picture of Mendez, 36, of 812 NW 24th Ct., in hopes more victims would come forward.

''In a lot of these cases people are embarrassed and afraid to speak about what happened,'' said Miami police spokesman Delrish Moss.

The investigation began Aug. 26, after the mother of the first two alleged victims -- sisters ages 6 and 9 -- approached police saying her daughters were acting strange, said Miami police spokeswoman Amy Salas-Jacobson.

Two days later police obtained a search warrant, then searched Mendez's home, a beige, one-floor triplex in Little Havana with an American flag on its tiny railing.

Police said they were shocked at what they found inside: homemade pornographic videos with six children performing graphic sexual acts with him.

Miami police spokesman Bill Schwartz said Mendez made the sisters watch hard-core pornographic films and dance for him before he performed oral sex on them. Schwartz said the girls were abused at least 10 times over a two-month period.

The same day police obtained the search warrant, Mendez turned himself in. He has been charged with 10 counts of sexual battery, 10 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct and four counts of interference with the custody of a minor.

''It's a capital offense. It's mandatory life [in prison],'' said Ed Griffith, spokesman for the state attorney's office.

Public defender Gregg Toung said he represented Mendez at his original hearing in August, but hasn't talked to him since the new allegations surfaced.

Police said Friday that the seven additional victims were found during the investigation.

According to police and neighbors, Mendez ran a family plumbing business, though no records of any such business could be found.

Neighbor Erasmo Rodriguez, who has lived across from Mendez for 10 years, said Mendez was a quiet person who rarely had visitors. He did have a large family, though, Rodriguez said.

''I never saw children go in or out of there, that's why we're so surprised,'' he said. Rodriguez said Mendez lived with his mother and father. He said he believed both are now dead.

Friday, a woman named Maria answered the door at the Mendez home, holding a baby. Through a glass partition on the door she said she was a friend of Mendez's from Houston and that she moved in after his arrest.

She said she knew nothing of the most recent allegations against Mendez.

Anyone with information should call the Special Victims Unit of the Miami police department at 305-579-6630.