A former deputy sheriff from the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material. The sentence, delivered by a U.S. Federal Judge in New Bern, North Carolina, also includes 15 years of supervised release and $10,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle commented on the case: “This defendant disgraced his badge and betrayed the community he swore to protect. Law enforcement officers who engage in crimes of child exploitation are no different that the predators they should be stopping. Our office will zealously pursue those who fuel the demand for child sexual abused material, no matter their title or position.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant addressed the broader impact: “Those who are sworn to uphold the law and protect our communities carry a profound responsibility. When that responsibility is violated in such a horrific manner, it erodes public trust and inflicts irreparable harm. HSI is committed to working alongside our partners to hold these offenders accountable and safeguard the vulnerable.”
NC SBI Director Chip Hawley noted: “The North Carolina SBI is working around the clock with our local and federal partners to investigate and eliminate child sex exploitation in North Carolina. It is especially alarming when a law enforcement officer is charged with violating the laws they have sworn to uphold. The NC SBI remains committed to protecting children and families from sexual predators wherever and whoever they may be.”
Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats expressed appreciation for collaborative efforts: “I want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security for their dedication and professionalism throughout this investigation and prosecution. Their joint efforts helped assist in our mission to keep Harnett County safe and ensure justice is served.”
According to court documents, Johnathan A. Edwards, 37, was investigated by state and federal authorities after allegations surfaced that he had sexually harassed an inmate at Harnett County Detention Center. In October 2023, investigators found evidence that Edwards exploited children using Omegle—a video chat website—by encouraging minors as young as 13 or 14 years old to undress or perform sexual acts during video chats after they disclosed their ages.
Further digital evidence was uncovered through Edwards’s Google account containing videos documenting these interactions with minors on Omegle.
Omegle shut down operations in November 2023 following accusations that it failed to implement adequate measures protecting children online.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating online child exploitation by coordinating resources across federal, state, and local agencies nationwide.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity Wilson and Erin Blondel led prosecution efforts on behalf of federal authorities.
