BSO Cold Case Unit detectives arrest a suspect in a Pompano Beach sexual battery case from 2009 after sixteen years of investigation

Pompano Beach, Florida – After more than 16 years of relentless investigation, the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Cold Case Unit has finally arrested a suspect in connection with a brutal 2009 sexual battery case in Pompano Beach. The arrest brings a long-awaited sense of justice to a victim whose life was forever changed by a home invasion and violent assault in the early morning hours of June 19, 2009.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. that morning, a 36-year-old mother was asleep in her bedroom with two of her children when the unthinkable occurred. A man broke into her home, holding a gun to her head, and sexually battered her. The children, fortunately, remained asleep throughout the ordeal and were unharmed. The attacker, described by the victim as wearing a dark mask and gloves and emitting a foul body odor, also stole her purse before fleeing through the front door. However, in his haste, he left behind one key piece of evidence—his semen.

BSO units responded to the 600 block of Northwest Ninth Avenue shortly after the crime was reported. Investigators immediately began combing through evidence, and by September 2009, DNA specialists at BSO’s Crime Lab had developed a profile of the unidentified suspect. Despite intensive efforts at the time, the case eventually went cold, leaving the victim without answers for more than a decade and a half.

Technological advancements in DNA testing reignited hope for resolution. In April 2025, BSO’s Crime Lab reexamined the evidence and confirmed that the DNA collected came from a single male contributor. Using a familial DNA search through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s State of Florida Qualifying Offender DNA Database, investigators were able to identify a known offender who was a close relative of the DNA contributor, providing a critical lead in the long-standing investigation.

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The breakthrough ultimately led detectives to 63-year-old Wisler Marcellus, the suspect in the 2009 sexual battery case. In October 2025, BSO learned that Marcellus was traveling to Haiti and would return later that month. On October 20, a DNA Search Warrant was executed upon his arrival at Miami International Airport. Swabs were collected and analyzed, confirming that Marcellus’ DNA matched the evidence collected from the crime scene more than 16 years ago.

On October 28, the BSO V.I.P.E.R. (Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response) Unit took Marcellus into custody and transported him to Broward County Main Jail. He now faces one count of sexual battery with a weapon and one count of armed burglary, bringing formal charges in a case that haunted the victim and the community for years.

“After years of wondering if the man who violated her would face justice, this victim now knows that he will, thanks to the BSO Cold Case Unit,” officials said in a statement. The arrest underscores the importance of persistence, innovation, and technology in solving long-standing crimes, demonstrating that even decades-old cases can be resolved when investigators remain committed to uncovering the truth.

The 2009 incident, which began with a home invasion in the early hours of a quiet June morning, has left an indelible mark on the survivor and her family. For years, the uncertainty about whether the perpetrator would ever be found added to the trauma of the crime. Now, with Marcellus in custody, there is a renewed sense of hope that justice will be served.

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BSO officials emphasized that cold case investigations remain a priority, even years after a crime has occurred. The combination of advanced forensic techniques, familial DNA searches, and traditional investigative work continues to play a crucial role in bringing perpetrators to justice. In this case, the collaborative efforts between the Cold Case Unit, the Crime Lab, and the V.I.P.E.R. Unit highlight how law enforcement agencies can leverage technology and expertise to solve some of the most challenging investigations.

For the Pompano Beach community and for victims everywhere, the arrest of Wisler Marcellus is a powerful reminder that justice can prevail, even after years of waiting. The Broward Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about unsolved crimes to come forward, reinforcing the message that time does not erase accountability, and that dedicated law enforcement can make a difference.

As Marcellus awaits formal legal proceedings, the case serves as a testament to the tenacity and determination of cold case investigators who refuse to let crimes go unresolved, ensuring that victims are not forgotten and that those who commit violent acts are held accountable, no matter how much time has passed.