Fire Captain Rape Case Among Grand Jury Indictments

A rape case involving a Malden fire captain is the lone grand jury indictment between April 13-May 30 relating to Melrose, according to the the indictment list announced Monday by Middlesex County DA Marian Ryan.

Steven Edwards, 36, of Wakefield is a captain in the Malden Fire Department. He was charged with rape, assault and battery, and violating a restraining order (2 counts.)

According to the DA's office, Edwards and the victim were in a verbal altercation in a home in Melrose on July 14, 2015. Edwards then allegedly sexually assaulted the victim.

The victim obtained a restraining order in July of 2016, but on Aug. 31 of that year Edwards allegedly became "abrasive" over the phone toward her and warned her the restraining order wouldn't be permanent.

The next day Edwards allegedly got in touch with a car dealership the woman had dropped her vehicle off at, telling the dealership not to return the car to her.

Edwards has been ordered to stay away from, and have no contact with, the victim. The case returns to court July 10, 2017.