Opening statements were given Monday afternoon in the trial of a former Warren police officer described by prosecutors as a "serial rapist."

The prosecution was up first with attorney Gina Thomas stating that former officer Michael Edwards Jr. had violated the oath he had promised to upkeep when he first took office that he would honor all local, state and national laws.

Thomas went on to describe the witnesses that would be testifying stating that some victims had resorted to things like drugs and prostitution asserting that Edwards took advantage of his position as a police officer to extort sex out of them.

Thomas said Edwards committed these alleged acts while he was in uniform with police equipment including guns and tasers.

The prosecution described these alleged sexual acts, some of which were caught on camera in graphic detail.

Thomas further alleged that Edwards told one of the alleged victims "I'm a cop, you're a junkie. No one will believe you" on multiple occasions.

Edwards's attorney Frank Cassese was up next to represent the defense. Cassese said it is true that Edwards had sexual encounters outside of marriage during his time as a Warren City police officer.

However, Cassese said when the defense views the sexual acts caught on camera, they will not hear any threat of force on the videos.

Cassese went on to say one of the alleged victim's testimonies will say the sexual relationship between the two was "100% consensual."

"You may think that some of the conduct described throughout this trial is morally reprehensible. However, that does not equate to criminal conduct," Cassese said.

Edwards was originally accused of raping one victim. An indictment revealed even more allegations. According to court documents, Edwards victimized four women.

Edwards is charged with five counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, three counts of rape, three counts of sexual battery, two counts of menacing by stalking, and two counts of attempted gross sexual imposition, all with firearm specifications.

Additionally, Edwards is facing charges of two counts of extortion, two counts of theft in office, and two counts of dereliction of duty.

A superseding indictment filed on March 21 reveals this alleged conduct to have occurred between the summer or fall of 2023 and January of 2024, which is when the allegations came to light.

Prosecutors say one of the alleged incidents involved Edwards threatening to leak sensitive information about the alleged victim if she did not submit to his sexual advances. Prosecutors say Edwards's sexual activity with this alleged victim was captured on camera.