DETROIT (WWJ) — Mac Saturn, an up and coming Detroit-based band, has canceled its North American headlining tour after keyboardist Evan Mercer was arrested last week on multiple child pornography charges.
Mercer was arrested Friday by the FBI, which alleges the band member was seen on videos engaging in sexual acts with underage victims.
That same night Mac Saturn opened the “Hard to Sell Tour” — which was supposed to span 35 shows all over the U.S. and Canada — at the Fillmore Detroit.
On Monday the band announced in an Instagram post it had canceled the tour, effective immediately and will be making a donation to the Joyful Heart Foundation to help ensure victims and survivors of sexual abuse have access to resources and treatment in the future.
“Friday was a paralyzing day and something that none of us could have ever prepared ourselves for,” said the band’s Instagram post. “We have taken a few days to process and come to you with this message from our hearts.”
The post, attributed to the band’s Carson Macc, Mike Moody, Angelo Coppola and Nick Barone, goes on to say “in our darkest hour, we remain dedicated to creating music and spaces for people to celebrate life as safely and respectfully as possible”
Also on Monday a federal magistrate judge ordered Mercer to remain held at the Sanilac County Jail until his trial, according to a report from the Detroit Free Press. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 9.
The Detroit News reported that Monday’s hearing in Detroit revealed “allegations Mercer masturbated with a naked prepubescent girl approximately 7-9 years old, and separately, with two teen boys — ages 14 and 15, respectively — during online video chats on the defunct website Omegle.”
"It’s just shocking to see a grown man engaging sexually like this with a 7- to 9-year-old girl and the male victims who were somewhat older but still minors,” Grand said during the hearing, according to the report. “To be engaging in that type of conduct is just a tremendous indicator of danger that the person presents because it shows the person is willing to harm a child for his own gratification.”
Authorities say Mercer’s ex-girlfriend discovered multiple files showing the alleged abuse, according to the reports. The ex-girlfriend reportedly saved files on a USB drive and brought them to Ferndale Police in September, according to The Detroit News report.
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