Rep. Roberts Pursues Justice After Childhood Sex Abuser Pleads Guilty

Rep. Roberts Pursues Justice After Childhood Sex Abuser Pleads Guilty

Harry Noel Edwards of Grant Avenue in South Kingstown on Wednesday pleaded guilty in Washington County Superior Court to a reduced charge of second degree sexual assault, which was perpetrated against Sherry Roberts dating back to her childhood years, reported in 1982.

Roberts was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2014, representing District 29 (West Warwick and Coventry) as a Republican. 

“I went through my entire life sadly believing I would never receive any form of justice for the traumatizing abuse perpetrated against me during my childhood,” said Roberts.

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“Since old cases are particularly hard to prove, I consider this plea to be a fair win. As such, I’d like to thank all those who helped me achieve this outcome.  However, my work to protect children against this sexual predator is not finished. He must be stopped," Roberts added. "I implore anyone else who was a victim of sexual assault at the hands of Harry N. Edwards to come forward and report him to the authorities. Full justice will not be achieved until he is locked behind bars, where he will never be able to hurt another child again.”

The sentence imposed on Edwards resulted in a ten-year suspended sentence with probation, providing that he stays out of further trouble.  Edwards will be required to register as a sex offender with lifelong monitoring by police.   

Additionally, he is required to participate in counseling for the duration of probation and ordered to stay at least 50 feet away from any child.  There is a restraining order in place to dissuade Edwards from harassing the victim (Sherry Roberts) going forward.