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WARREN -- A former Warren police officer facing rape charges has had additional counts added in a superseding indictment. The new charges against Michael Edwards Jr., brings the total count against him to 24.
The defendant is set to appear in court this morning for a hearing before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Cynthia Rice.
Among the additional allegations are seven counts of rape, each with firearm and sexually violent predator specifications.
The indictment also includes charges of gross sexual imposition, extortion; sexual battery; theft in office; dereliction of duty; menacing by stalking with a firearm specification; and attempted gross sexual imposition.
The prosecutor's office confirmed the increase in victim count to six.
Taylor Edwards, a former city police officer and wife of Michael Edwards, was placed on paid leave in mid-March, but resigned from the police department March 30. This resignation marked the conclusion of an internal investigation during which she was accused of inquiring with other officers about confidential informants related to her husband's rape case.
Warren police Chief Eric Merkel stated that Taylor Edwards' resignation effectively halted the investigation, rendering it "dead in the water" as the department can no longer pursue administrative charges against her. She submitted her resignation letter March 10, which was processed on March 30, coinciding with her official resignation date.
The allegations against Taylor Edwards surfaced in a motion filed by Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman regarding a rape case involving Michael Edwards. The document alleges collaboration between the defendant and his wife through jail phone calls and text messages, soliciting others to approach and secretly record witnesses involved in the case.