Executive Summary
- Johnathan Andrew Edwards, a 37-year-old former Harnett County deputy, was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison.
- He was convicted of producing child sex-abuse material after exploiting minors on the video-chat website Omegle.
- The sentence also includes 15 years of supervised release and a $10,000 restitution payment.
- The investigation was a joint effort by the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, the NC SBI, and the Department of Homeland Security.
A former Harnett County deputy has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for child sex crimes, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday. Johnathan Andrew Edwards, 37, was convicted of producing child sex-abuse material after an investigation revealed he sexually exploited children on a popular video-chat website.
In addition to the prison term, Edwards will serve 15 years of supervised release and is required to pay $10,000 in restitution. According to evidence presented in court, investigators found that Edwards used the website Omegle to engage with minors, encouraging them to undress and sexually abuse themselves while he recorded the interactions. The evidence showed that children often disclosed they were 13 or 14 years old.
“This defendant disgraced his badge and betrayed the community he swore to protect,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Law enforcement officers who engage in crimes of child exploitation are no different than the predators they should be stopping. Our office will zealously pursue those who fuel the demand for child sexual abuse material, no matter their title or position.”
The investigation began in October 2023 when the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office became aware of possible sexual misconduct involving Edwards. The case was a collaborative effort between the Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“It is especially alarming when a law enforcement officer is charged with violating the laws they have sworn to uphold,” said NC SBI Director Chip Hawley, highlighting the commitment of state and federal partners to combat child exploitation.
Edwards, who had worked for the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years, was terminated in November 2023 following the allegations. Sheriff Wayne Coats thanked the federal agencies for their professionalism and dedication, stating their joint efforts were crucial in ensuring justice was served.