Man Accused Of Rape To Be Arraigned On Charges

CANTON, GA — A Kennesaw man is set to appear before a Superior Court judge next month on charges he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at a home in northeast Cherokee County.

James Olen Edwards will be arraigned at 9 a.m. Aug. 16 in Courtroom 2C at the Cherokee County Justice Center, court records show.

Edwards, 44, was indicted by a Cherokee County grand jury earlier this month on one count each of rape and being a recidivist, as he was convicted of prior offenses. According to warrants, Edwards forced himself on the woman May 14 at a residence in unincorporated Ball Ground.

Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office initially arrested Edwards on rape and misdemeanor sexual battery charges, but the grand jury did not indict Edwards on the latter allegation.

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According to the indictment, the recidivist charge stems from Edwards being sentenced to serve time in Cobb County on a rape charge in June 1993. In December 1993, he also pleaded guilty and was sentenced on burglary and arson charges in Cherokee County.

Edwards was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on May 18 and remains held without bond. Court records also show he is scheduled to have a bond hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 24 at the Justice Center.

Photo: James Olen Edwards. Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office