Man Accused as Serial Kidnapper, Rapist, Pimp

A man whom prosecutors allege kidnapped or imprisoned women, abused them, and forced them to have sex with him and others -- even trafficking in sex on the internet -- is being held on $1 million bail in Orange County.

The charges stem from allegations that between August 1, 2015 and March 17, 2016, Theodore Edwards kidnapped or unlawfully imprisoned four different women at 222 Broadway in Newburgh, subjecting them to assaults and other physical abuse, and forced them to perform sex acts on him, and in the case of three victims, other individuals as well.

Edwards posted ads featuring the opportunity to have sex with three of the victims on an internet site, prosecutors said.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced Edwards' arraignment on Wednesday. The indictment charges Edwards, 49, nicknamed Sasquatch, with Kidnapping in the First Degree, Rape in the First Degree (4 Counts), Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (3 Counts), Sex Trafficking (12 Counts), Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree (5 Counts), Coercion in the First Degree (4 Counts), Kidnapping in the Second Degree (2 Counts), Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Stalking in the First Degree, Assault in the Third Degree and Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree.

Orange County Court Judge Nicholas De Rosa set bail in the amount of $1 million cash or $7 million bond. Edwards is next scheduled to appear in court May 12.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information on this case, or who was also a victim is urged to call the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their assistance in the investigation of the case.

“New York State Law treats kidnapping in the first degree, which entails abducting someone for more than twelve hours with the intent to sexually abuse them as seriously as Murder in the Second degree, and the sentence can result in an offender being incarcerated for the rest of their life, and that is entirely fitting,” Hoovler said in a prepared statement. “Cases which involve multiple victims are even more heinous. We must all support those who are the victims of violent sexual abuse. My office will continue to seek lengthy state prison sentences for violent sexual offenders."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Julie Mohl.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Editor's Note: Theodore Edwards' first name was omitted from some editions of this article. Patch regrets the error.