Former Menifee Mormon Bishop Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes
Story updated at 3 p.m. with new statement from church official and correcting Edwards' current state of residence to Nevada. A former...
http://www.menifee247.com/2013/11/former-menifee-mormon-bishop-pleads-guilty-to-sex-crimes.html
Story updated at 3 p.m. with new statement from church official and correcting Edwards' current state of residence to Nevada.
A former Mormon bishop serving in Menifee pleaded guilty today to two felony sex crimes involving teenage girls who attended his church. He will serve three years in prison.
Todd M. Edwards, 49, entered the guilty pleas as part of an agreement. The first count, sexual penetration with a foreign object with force and against the victim's will, is a felony and strike. The second count, sexual battery, also is a felony.
Judge Becky L. Dugan said the first count carries with it a strike because of the severity of the crime. Edwards remains free on $65,000 cash bail until he returns to court on Dec. 11 to be remanded into custody. If he doesn't appear on that date, a bench warrant will be served, the agreement will be null and void, and Edwards could serve nine years per count.
Edwards declined comment. He must register as a sex offender for life.
Edwards, who currently resides in Nevada, was released as bishop of the Menifee Ward after church officials learned of the investigation in 2012. He was arrested at his Murrieta residence May 28, 2013 following an investigation into allegations of sexual crimes in November 2006 and February 2012.
According to the police incident report, the 2006 incident involved a 16-year-old girl. The victim in the 2012 incident was 18 at the time. Both girls attended the Menifee Ward, according to police documents. Edwards was not serving as bishop at the time of the 2006 incident.
George Kramer, a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, released the following statement today on behalf of the LDS Church:
"We are very saddened by the news surrounding the admission of sexual abuse by Todd Mitchell Edwards, 49, of Murrieta, CA. As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero-tolerance for any such conduct, we fully support the legal proceedings surrounding Mr. Edwards’ criminal prosecution and subsequent conviction. Our primary concern is for the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of the victims involved."
Todd M. Edwards, 49, entered the guilty pleas as part of an agreement. The first count, sexual penetration with a foreign object with force and against the victim's will, is a felony and strike. The second count, sexual battery, also is a felony.
Judge Becky L. Dugan said the first count carries with it a strike because of the severity of the crime. Edwards remains free on $65,000 cash bail until he returns to court on Dec. 11 to be remanded into custody. If he doesn't appear on that date, a bench warrant will be served, the agreement will be null and void, and Edwards could serve nine years per count.
Edwards declined comment. He must register as a sex offender for life.
Edwards, who currently resides in Nevada, was released as bishop of the Menifee Ward after church officials learned of the investigation in 2012. He was arrested at his Murrieta residence May 28, 2013 following an investigation into allegations of sexual crimes in November 2006 and February 2012.
George Kramer, a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, released the following statement today on behalf of the LDS Church:
"We are very saddened by the news surrounding the admission of sexual abuse by Todd Mitchell Edwards, 49, of Murrieta, CA. As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero-tolerance for any such conduct, we fully support the legal proceedings surrounding Mr. Edwards’ criminal prosecution and subsequent conviction. Our primary concern is for the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of the victims involved."
This guy needs to be kept in jail and far away from kids forever. Let's hope that anyone who may have knowledge or may have been harmed by Todd M. Edwards, will come forward and contact police, no matter how long ago it happened.
ReplyDeleteSilence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others.
Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511. snapjudy@gmail.com,
"SNAP (The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
What has happened to our legal system?!... How is it that this monster can be allowed to walk the streets till December after pleading guilty to these count!... How is it that he can only get a slap on the hand for 3 years is really on heard of....The mental anguish that these girls will be suffering for the rest of their life is unbelievable and someone who hasn't gone through it has not even a clue!....
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