A former detective with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department was sentenced to 10 years in prison for using his position of authority to commit heinous acts of sexual assault against five women who were participants in the Lincoln County Drug Court program.
According to court documents, Scott Edwards, a 50-year-old man from Troy, Mo., served as a “drug court tracker” for the Lincoln County Drug Court from February 2009 to November 2010. During this time, Edwards abused his position of authority and engaged in sexual acts with the five female drug court participants without their consent.
The victims, who were under the court-ordered supervision of Edwards, suffered bodily injury as a result of his actions, which included aggravated sexual abuse and sexual contact. Edwards pleaded guilty in July to two felony counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, including aggravated sexual abuse; one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law, including kidnapping; and two misdemeanor counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, including sexual contact.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Division of the FBI and the Troy Police Department, with the assistance of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith and Trial Attorney Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division.
The sentencing of Edwards to 10 years in prison and three years supervised release reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding law enforcement officials accountable for their actions and upholding the rights of all individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable and in need of protection.
The victims in this case, who courageously came forward to report these heinous crimes, are an inspiration to us all. Their bravery and resilience will not be forgotten, and we hope that this sentence brings them some measure of closure and justice.
The crime of aggravated sexual abuse is a serious one, and it is our hope that this case serves as a warning to all law enforcement officials that such behavior will not be tolerated and will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Scott Edwards, Exact Charges: Two felony counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, including aggravated sexual abuse; one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law, including kidnapping; and two misdemeanor counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, including sexual contact, City and State: Troy, MO, Date: 2010, Sentence: 10 years in prison and three years supervised release.
Related Federal Cases
- Christopher Schroeder, Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity, Missouri 2015 · Ohio
- Chrystal Lynn Bernstein, Mail Theft and Aggravated Identity Theft, Missouri 2016 · Illinois
- Camille S. Childress, Medicaid Scheme, Missouri 2023 · Missouri
- Camille Childress, Healthcare Fraud, Missouri 2021 · Washington
- James Allen, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Missouri 2013 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Sex Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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