Today we’d like to introduce you to Maurice Edwards.
Hi Maurice, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
After completing my training at the Police Academy in Central Florida in 2005, I joined the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Seminole County, Florida, in 2006. Initially, there were no openings for a patrol officer, so I began my career as a Court Security Deputy Sheriff at the Courthouse. I was grateful for the opportunity as it equipped me with valuable skills and knowledge that would subsequently prove to be useful during my role as a Detective. In 2010, the Sheriff personally invited me to join the Youth Intervention Services Unit (YIS) as a Deputy Sheriff Detective. I eagerly accepted the position, not knowing the profound impact it would have on my life and the community while also fulfilling a long-life dream.
In addition to my role in the YIS unit, I also served as a Deputy Sheriff in charge of managing Chronic Juvenile Offenders (CJOs). In this position, I conducted initial and follow-up criminal investigations for identified CJOs, utilizing surveillance, analytical research, and communication with internal and external agencies. I also had the responsibility of physically checking the residences of every juvenile assigned to the unit to ensure compliance with all sanctions established by the juvenile court system. Additionally, I handled investigations of out-of-county/state juvenile warrants, leading to over 720 warrant arrests throughout my career.
In 2013, while heading to work, I received a call over the radio that a 15-year-old male had been shot and killed. Upon further assessing the call, I realized it was the same youth I had spoken with the day prior following his discharge home from a program. I responded to the scene and observed his lifeless body with a single gunshot wound to his chest. I then went to his mother’s home, where I had been the day before, and informed her of her son’s death. I made a promise to the family that I would not rest until I apprehended the shooter. After 13 hours of searching for the shooter, I was able to apprehend the shooter and place him under arrest for the murder of the 15-year-old. Due to my dedication to the families in the community I served and my exceptional investigative work in locating the shooter, I received the 2013 ASIS Law Enforcement Officers Award. I was also named Youth Services Deputy of the Year. However, the most meaningful recognition I received was the gratitude from the family.
During my time as a Youth Intervention Services Deputy Sheriff Detective, one of my responsibilities was investigating and locating missing or runaway juveniles. Throughout this role, I successfully conducted 287 investigations and recovered missing, endangered, or runaway juveniles. While recovering some of the missing children from areas where commercial sex takes place, I along with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation Unit began to investigate possible human trafficking involvement with the children. Based on my investigation and the information I obtained, we conducted an undercover operation that resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of another missing child who was being sold. One of the suspects was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in federal prison.
Following this case, I became the lead investigator on the first human trafficking case tried and successfully prosecuted in Seminole County. This was a major success for law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office in Seminole County, and for my personal growth. At that moment, I realized I had discovered my true passion and calling in life. I could see my personal growth and I learned many lessons throughout the journey, as I transformed from a rookie officer to an accomplished investigator.
Check out this quote from former Assistant State Attorney Lisa Haba reflecting on my human trafficking career:
“I was uniquely able to see the work Maurice Edwards did firsthand. I was an Assistant State Attorney in Seminole County, Florida, from 2011-2018 and prosecuted many of the human trafficking investigations that Maurice Edwards investigated during that time. Human trafficking investigations are very complex – every single investigation that he brought to me for prosecution was detailed, thoroughly investigated, and well-organized. We successfully secured a plea or a jury verdict of guilty on each investigation he conducted, which is a testament to the exceptional talent and investigative skill Maurice Edwards showed. The other reason our cases were successful is that Maurice Edwards was able to build a working relationship with the victims – numerous victims have said to me, “I don’t trust cops, except Det. Edwards.” Without his people skills and trauma-informed, victim-centered police work, many of these cases would not have been successful.
I would highlight a case involving a 17-year-old victim to provide an example of his work. Detective Edwards responded to a scene with an adult male suspect who was fighting with a female who was identified to be a minor. Upon arrival on the scene, Detective Edwards immediately noticed indicators of human trafficking. After interviewing all parties that were on scene, Detective Edwards placed the child victim into protective custody and back with her family. The child victim was not open to speaking with or trusting anyone about what had happened to her and refused to tell her story for a long time. Detective Edwards worked with this child for over a year and built enough trust with the victim that she ultimately confided everything in him. Detective Edwards was able to identify a 14-year-old victim who was being trafficked by the same suspect. In 2020, Detective Edwards was able to file charges for human trafficking against the suspect, resulting in his arrest. Detective Edwards showed patience and diligence through the year-and-a-half-long investigation, saving lives and bringing the survivors justice.
Detective Edwards is very committed to combating Human Trafficking on the street and educating about it. He has presented around the Central Region for various Symposiums and other community events. He is constantly training the community about warning signs, law enforcement about effective investigations and identifying factors, and non-profits that work with survivors about effective collaboration with law enforcement. His passion and concern are apparent every time he speaks about human trafficking.
During his time working in human trafficking, he was selected by the Seminole County Human Trafficking Task Force (SCHTTF) membership to serve as the task force Chair. This task force is one of the most active and dynamic groups in Central Florida. It comprises community involvement, support to law enforcement, and support to service providers. Under his leadership, the SCHTTF community has increased collaboration amongst service providers, expanded the network of service providers used by law enforcement, and helped determine where more help is needed to increase what is being done in the community and avoid duplication of efforts.”
In 2014, I was sworn in as a Special Federal Officer and Special Deputy US Marshal with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), authorizing me to investigate federal human trafficking cases actively. From 2014 to 2021, I conducted approximately 170 human trafficking investigations and made 13 human trafficking arrests, achieving a 100% conviction rate.
Throughout my human trafficking career, I have received several awards and accolades. In 2018, I was honored to receive the Polaris Star Award for Law Enforcement Investigation in Human Trafficking, the Florida Intelligence Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and a Certificate of Excellence from former Governor Rick Scott. In 2019, Governor Ronald DeSantis presented me with a Certificate of Excellence award. In 2022, I received the Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Award and the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators Career Achievement Award. I retired from Law Enforcement in April 2022. Since my retirement in 2023, I’ve been inducted into the National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame and co-authored “Human Trafficking: A Systemwide Public Safety and Community Approach, 2nd Edition.
My story and journey have all been because God had a plan for me, which was for me to save lives and make a difference before I leave this earth. I can confidently say that I did not let Him down.
Thank you to all my family, friends, and the community in which I served.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let me begin by expressing my deep remorse for the wrongdoing in this situation, for which I take full responsibility. Unfortunately, I received multiple parking tickets while using my unmarked vehicle. Instead of paying the fines immediately, I sought my Sergeant’s guidance on handling the tickets. I emailed him at my sergeant’s request, explaining the parking violations’ circumstances and asking for his review and recommendations. However, my Sergeant forwarded the email to the lieutenant, who informed my captain. My captain instructed me to pay for the parking tickets and not park illegally again. However, the lieutenant, who had a personal issue with me, involved her husband, a captain in a different division. According to reports from several Sheriff’s Office employees, the lieutenant’s husband (Captain) reached out to the professional standards division regarding my parking tickets, and the captain of that division requested that I just pay the parking tickets without making an official complaint. I found out that the email I sent to my sergeant was used to support a request to dismiss the parking tickets. Following this, the opposing captain (the lieutenant’s husband) filed a complaint directly with the Sheriff, alleging that my email was a false official statement.
My sergeant forwarded the draft to my lieutenant, who informed my captain and advised me to pay the tickets and not park illegally again. Instead of following my captain’s instructions, my lieutenant involved her husband, a captain overseeing a different division. Based on reports from several Sheriff’s Office employees, I learned that the captain (the lieutenant’s husband) contacted the captain within the professional standards division, who also suggested that the tickets be paid. However, instead of following through with this, the draft email was submitted, and my sergeant dismissed the tickets without my knowledge. Following this, the Captain (the lieutenant’s husband) filed a complaint about my conduct directly with the Sheriff, alleging that my email was a false official statement.
I believe that my Lieutenant and her husband took the actions as a personal attack on me in retaliation for a text message I sent two weeks ago. This message was sent to a group of detectives in my unit regarding my Captain’s departure. In the message, I mentioned that my Lieutenant needed to be more involved with human trafficking, or she could be removed. Without my permission, one of the detectives in the group forwarded my message to my Lieutenant. Later, my Captain warned me to be careful because my Lieutenant was upset after seeing the message. It has also been brought to my attention that many employees of the Sheriff’s office have felt victimized in the past due to racial profiling by the Lieutenant and her husband.
After the disciplinary investigation concluded, I had the opportunity to review the interviews conducted with my Sergeant and Lieutenant. Both were questioned about why they hadn’t discussed the tickets or the draft email with me before sending it as an official statement requesting dismissal.
My sergeant explained that the lieutenant instructed him to submit the letter, but she denied it. No further investigation was conducted to determine the truth or reason for their conflicting accounts.
It is crucial to emphasize that throughout my tenure, I have always maintained a high standard of professional conduct, with no history of misconduct. I strongly believe that the action taken against me as a result of parking tickets was motivated by factors such as racism and envy of my accomplishments. It’s important to note that none of these factors contribute to helping the people and the community we serve; they only hurt them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a member of the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators (IAHTI). I have served as a human trafficking trainer and expert, sharing my expertise obtained through personal experience with victims, service providers, prosecutors, survivors, and investigators. I have always practiced a victim-centered approach and have dedicated my career and personal time to liberating victims from oppression and bondage. These qualities have made me one of the most respected human trafficking trainers and experts in the United States. In addition, I have been employed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) since 2022. Currently, I am a Supervisor on the Child Sex Trafficking Team within the Analytical Services Division. My role involves providing daily supervision of the Child Sex Trafficking Team Support Specialist and overseeing their functions. I also maintain regular contact with law enforcement.
I am a member of the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators (IAHTI). I have served as a human trafficking trainer and expert, sharing my expertise obtained through personal experience with victims, service providers, prosecutors, survivors, and investigators. I have always practiced a victim-centered approach and have dedicated my career and personal time to liberating victims from oppression and bondage. These qualities have made me one of the most respected human trafficking trainers and experts in the United States.
In addition, I have been employed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) since 2022. Currently, I am a Supervisor on the Child Sex Trafficking Team within the Analytical Services Division. My role involves providing daily supervision of the Child Sex Trafficking Team Support Specialist and overseeing their functions. I also maintain regular contact with law enforcement.
