Ex Warren cop convicted of rape and multiple crimes could spend decades to life behind bars
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Michael Edwards Jr.
A fired Warren police officer who swore to uphold the law, has been convicted of rape and crimes that could see him behind bars for decades.
A jury found disgraced officer Michael Edwards, Junior guilty of 15 of 25 criminal charges against him.
The guilty verdicts were for two counts of rape, four counts of gross sexual imposition, two counts of extortion, three counts of sexual battery, two counts of derelection of duty, and 2 counts of theft in office. He was also found guilty of gun specifications.
Edwards was found not guilty of four counts of rape..
The case was an uphill battle because of the balance of power, and perception of a police officer as upholding the law.
Some of the women were involved in prostitution at the time or battling addictions.
Trumbull Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman told jurors Edwards would say things such as, "I'm a cop, you're a junkie. no one will believe you."
"He chose these women specifically because some of them had long standing issues, including mental health issues, and drug addiction issues. Unfortunately the two victims he was found not guilty of, they really struggled on the stand and we see that sometimes," Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman said.
A jury believed enough charges beyond a reasonable doubt to send the disgraced former cop away to prison for up to 56 to 61 and a half years behind bars.
The women are expected to give victim impact statements before sentencing Thursday September 25th.
Edwards could also be deemed a sexually violent predator by Judge Cynthia Rice.
If she finds he is a sexually violent predator it will be a life sentence," Wildman said.
His Attorney David Betras plans to appeal the convictions.
"We respect the jury and the service they provided, and we will be appealing," Attorney David Betras said.
