Testimony got underway on Tuesday in the trial of a former Warren City police officer who prosecutors described as a "serial rapist."

Tuesday's testimony came from the first of several alleged victims of former Warren police officer Michael Edwards Jr., who we will be referring to only as Victim #1.

Victim #1 testified that Edwards first came to her room in the Riverview Motel on January 14 and asked her "what are you going to do to keep me quiet" referring to the fact that he knew she was a prostitute and drug addict.

She further testified that he came into the motel room and touched her and told her he would be back on the 19.

Another man who knew Victim #1 testified that he was staying with Victim #1 at the motel and that she had called him January 14 feeling upset and scared and asked him to stay there with her for the next couple of days.

He testified that the two were using drugs at the time.

The man further testified that on January 19, he saw a police car outside of the hotel and Victim #1 told him and another man to hide, so they hid in the bathroom.

The man testified that he overheard Edwards at the door saying he was there to "check up" on Victim #1 and once he found out what Edwards planned to do, he told Victim #1 to put a camera in the room to catch him in the act.

Victim #1 testified that during Edwards's alleged acts, he could be heard saying "it seems like you're not into it much" and "who's going to believe a drug addict over a cop?"

According to the man's testimony once the video was recorded, he called a rape hotline to ask what to do in the event of a police officer raping someone. 

Testimony then came from Victim #1's sister, who testified that Victim #1 called her the morning of January 19 crying. She testified that she went straight to the motel where she saw Edwards's police cruiser was parked there.

Victim #1's sister testified that she took video of the cruiser to prove it was there.

The next testimony came from Victim #1's mother who testified about signing paperwork with her at the Solace House regarding visitation with her kids.

The mother testified that Edwards was there at this time and she could tell Victim #1 was uncomfortable talking to him. She further testified that Victim #1 told her Edwards told her he was coming to her motel and she was scared.

Victim #1's mother further testified that when she found out about the alleged incident, she told her not to call police because they would likely not believe her due to her past and Edwards being a police officer.

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. 
 
The trial will continue Wednesday morning.