Former BPD Officer Pleads Guilty to Assault and Sex Offense

Baltimore, Md. (January 9, 2026) – Today, the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City announced that former Baltimore Police Officer Curlon Edward was sentenced to 15 years, suspending all but six years, and will be placed on the sex offender registry after pleading guilty to First-Degree Assault and Fourth-Degree Sex Offense. Public Trust & Police Integrity Unit Chief Steven Trostle prosecuted this case with support from the State’s Attorney’s Special Victims Unit.

“Today’s guilty plea represents an important step towards justice for the survivor in this case. The harm caused by former Officer Curlon Edwards was profound, and no one—especially someone entrusted with authority—has the right to abuse their position and violate another person,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates. “We hope this outcome affirms the survivor’s courage in coming forward and reinforces that our office will stand with victims, pursue accountability, and work to ensure their voices are heard. I commend Chief Steve Trostle for securing this resolution and thank Chief Jennifer McAllister for her support throughout the prosecution, and thank BPD’s Internal Affairs and Sex Crimes divisions for their full cooperation throughout.”

In 2024, Curlon Edwards, who was 33 years old at the time and employed as a police officer with the Baltimore Police Department, met a 16-year-old victim through a mutual acquaintance. The defendant and the teen began a sexual relationship that lasted for the better part of one year.

On June 30, 2025, at 118 N. Howard Street, the defendant and the victim engaged in voluntary sexual conduct. However, after the voluntary sexual conduct, the defendant demanded to see the victim’s phone, citing alleged infidelity. An argument ensued as he took her phone and she tried to retrieve it from him. As the argument escalated, the defendant put the victim into a chokehold, causing the victim to lose consciousness for an undetermined period of time. The chokehold was forceful enough to cause visible markings on her neck.

Upon regaining consciousness, the defendant gave his service weapon to the victim and demanded that she shoot him. Being scared and feeling forced, she grabbed the gun, but did not shoot him. He took the gun back and then insisted that the two reconcile. The victim, fearing for her life at that point, determined that the only way she was going to survive the day was to act like she was reconciling with the defendant, and accordingly, she agreed to have intercourse with him again. After that second sexual encounter, the defendant drove the victim to Walmart to buy concealer to cover the strangulation marks on her neck, before delivering her back to her residence.

The victim promptly reported this incident to her mother and, moments later, to law enforcement. She also submitted to a forensic exam.