Theopulus Gordon could have prevented the death of Eric Robinson last September, but he didn’t.FORT WAYNE – Months ago, Justin M. Edwards was a teacher and middle school wrestling coach.
But Friday morning he sat amid career criminals and petty thieves, waiting to plead guilty to a felony charge of sexual misconduct with a minor. By admitting to having sex with a 14-year-old former student, Edwards, 38, became a felon as well.
His guilty plea hearing before Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull was scheduled for 8:30, as were hearings for dozens of other cases. So Edwards waited, flanked by family members – sometimes tightly holding his hands, rubbing his back or embracing him.
When it was his turn, he and defense attorney Randall Hammond each took a seat, as did others scheduled to admit their crimes. In answer to each of Gull’s questions, Edwards answered simply, “yes, ma’am.” But as it got closer to the “guilty” part, he became noticeably more nervous and seemed to struggle to keep his composure.
As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Edwards will be sentenced to 12 years in prison, but six years of that sentence will be suspended, to be followed by four years on probation, according to court documents.
He will also have to register as a sex offender and will be prohibited from having contact with any children after his release from prison.
Edwards was arrested in January. But Fort Wayne police began investigating the allegations in late November after the Department of Child Services received information about possible sexual misconduct involving a teacher, according to documents filed in Allen Superior Court.
When a detective met with the girl, she said she had a close relationship with Edwards, her former teacher, and she acknowledged having sex with him, according to court documents.
The girl told police she would often talk to Edwards as though he were her “other dad” and they often communicated through text messages.
She said she was talking to him at the school one day and he kissed her. The girl told police the intimacy escalated to his having sex with her on a mat in the wrestling room at the middle school, after he put on a condom, according to court documents.
When the allegations against Edwards surfaced, he was removed from Blackhawk Middle School and suspended with pay. He quit his job in late January, days after his arrest.
After his hearing Friday, Edwards was led away in handcuffs with his family members watching and quietly telling him they loved him.
