MILTON — An investigation by the Major Crimes Unit of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of a former county resident on 10 counts of sexual battery and five counts of lewd and lascivious behavior.
Kent W. Edwards, 58, of Rock Cave, W.Va., was arrested Dec. 30 in West Virginia on 10 capital counts of sexual assault and battery on a victim under 10 years old and five second-degree counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim younger than 16 years old. He was extradited to the Santa Rosa County Jail on Tuesday.
The victim described to detectives the details of the abuse which ultimately led to a signed arrest warrant by a judge.
The Sheriff’s Office worked closely with the West Virginia State Police on the case.
The offense report from the Sheriff’s Office was heavily redacted, but it appeared Edwards’ alleged abuse went on for an extended period of time and only ended because he moved to West Virginia.
After many instances of abuse, the report indicated Edwards said the victim could get into serious trouble or go to jail for what they were doing and that the victim had to “keep their secret.” The victim said Edwards offered ice cream after almost every incident, according to the report.