BOYNTON BEACH, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2025) — A Boynton Beach man is facing felony charges in two separate but related sex crime cases involving the same 15-year-old girl, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrest records and affidavits.
Kenneth Edwards Jr., 50, was arrested in December in connection with allegations that span both in-person encounters and online communication with the teen. Court records show the cases were handled separately but reference the same victim and overlapping conduct.
In the first case, detectives allege Edwards, a minister with Church of Living God in Delray Beach, committed lewd or lascivious battery on a person under 16, a second-degree felony under Florida law. According to a probable cause affidavit, the investigation began after a parent contacted police upon discovering messages on the teen’s phone. Investigators say the messages were exchanged through Instagram and included requests for sexual activity and nude photographs.
Detectives with the Boynton Beach Police Department Special Victims Unit and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office documented two alleged in-person encounters. The affidavits state the teen told investigators she met Edwards at public locations, including parking lots, where he allegedly performed oral sex on her inside a vehicle. The encounters were described as brief, according to the reports.
Records state investigators later reviewed social media accounts tied to Edwards and identified him through law enforcement databases, social media profile photos, and other records. Detectives noted Edwards appeared to be a married adult and reported that he worked as a minister, based on information observed during the investigation.
The second arrest stems from a separate charge of soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using a computer or electronic device, a third-degree felony. In that case, sheriff’s deputies allege Edwards knowingly used Instagram to communicate with the teen and attempted to solicit sexual activity after learning her true age.
According to the affidavit, detectives conducted a controlled communication between the teen and Edwards while monitoring the exchange. During that conversation, investigators say the teen explicitly stated she was 15 years old. Despite that disclosure, deputies allege Edwards continued the conversation and made sexually explicit requests.
Investigators also documented statements made during a recorded interview at Edwards’ residence. Records indicate Edwards acknowledged communicating with the teen and discussed prior interactions. The affidavits state that detailed statements and recordings are maintained by the sheriff’s office as evidence.
Both cases were investigated under Marsy’s Law protections, which require redaction of victim-identifying information in sexual offense cases. The teen’s name and personal details are withheld in public records.
Edwards was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail following the arrests. Jail and court records list separate case numbers tied to each charge, reflecting the distinct statutory violations. Bond information and future court dates were listed on the arrest paperwork.
All allegations remain accusations at this stage. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Detectives believe there are more victims. Anyone with information or who may have been a victim of Kenneth Edwards Jr. is urged to contact Detective Dove at [email protected] or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Additional law enforcement updates affecting Boca Raton and nearby communities are tracked on Boca Post’s police activity page.
0 Comments