U.S. Virgin Islands – Attorney General Denise George announces the conviction and sentencing of 62-year old Elroy Edwards for charges of 1st Degree Aggravated Rape; Child Abuse; and 1st Degree Unlawful Sexual Contact in V.I. Superior Court, St. Croix District. A Notice of Entry of Judgment and Commitment was entered on November 23, 2020.
Previously, on September 9, 2019, pursuant to a Plea Agreement, Edwards entered guilty pleas to (Count 4) 1st Degree Aggravated Rape and (Count 7) 1st Degree Unlawful Sexual Contact, of the Information, which is the formal criminal charging document filed by the Attorney General.
The Superior Court Judge Douglas Brady remanded Edwards to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections to serve a sentence of 25 years for the charge of (Count 4) 1st Degree Aggravated Rape with credit given of approximately 950 days of time served for the crime, and an additional 10 years for (Count 7) 1st Degree Unlawful Sexual Contact to run consecutively with the sentence in Count 4, for a total of 35 years of incarceration.
Edwards, a resident of Barren Spot was arrested on March 21, 2018, and advised of his rights before Hon. Judge Douglas Brady. He was arraigned on April 4, 2018, on the formal charges filed by the Attorney General against him for the rape and sodomy of two (2) 8-year-old minors.
“Plea bargaining is a significant part of the prosecution process if the prosecutor can get a just and appropriate conviction and punishment,” AG George said. Given his age and the length of the sentence, Edwards may likely spend most, if not all, of his remaining life incarcerated.
Edwards must register as a sex offender pursuant to 14 V.I.C.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2020
Sandra Goomansingh
Media Relations Director
(340)774-5666 ext. 10105
Email: Sandra.goomansingh@doj.vi.gov