E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A Palmdale resident, Darius Desean Edwards, is set to appear in court today following a federal grand jury indictment. The 21-year-old faces charges related to the production and receipt of child pornography and enticement of minors for sexual activity.
The indictment includes five counts each of production and receipt of child pornography, alongside two counts of enticing a minor into criminal sexual conduct. Edwards was formerly employed by the Department of Parks and Recreation in Palmdale until his recent dismissal.
The charges stem from alleged activities between October 2023 and December 2023, where Edwards reportedly engaged with a 16-year-old girl online, persuading her to create and send sexually explicit material. He allegedly received at least one video depicting such content. In March 2024, similar accusations involve communication with a 15-year-old girl, from whom he allegedly received photos and videos.
The legal principle that an indictment only contains allegations means that Edwards remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, the penalties are severe: mandatory minimum sentences range from five years for each count of receiving child pornography to 15 years for producing it. The charge of enticing a minor carries a minimum sentence of ten years and could lead to life imprisonment.
The FBI is conducting the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorney Lyndsi Allsop from the Violent and Organized Crime Section is handling the prosecution.
