A Washington man has been charged with multiple sexual offenses, including statutory rape, felony child abuse, holding a child in sexual servitude and other sex crimes.

Michael David Edwards, 40, of 1215 Dan Taylor Road in Washington, was charged on June 8 with four felony counts of child abuse with sexual acts, one count of indecent liberties with a minor, two counts of first-degree statutory sexual offenses, two counts of first degree statutory rape, and three counts of holding a child in sexual servitude.

Edwards was held in the Beaufort County Detention Center on a $500,000 secured bond. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office declined to provide further details on the case, due to the sensitive nature of the crimes and because the investigation is still ongoing.

“I’m able to give very few details for a few reasons,” BCSO First Sergeant Brad Shackelford said. “Number one is that it involves a juvenile victim.”

Shackelford said that as a policy, the BCSO does not issue press releases on sex offenses in order to protect the victims. Edwards is next scheduled to appear in court on June 27.