Devonte Andrew Edwards, a 26-year-old from Kalamazoo, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for sexually exploiting a child, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey announced on Apr. 15. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou underscored the need to protect the public from Edwards, referencing statements he made about his intentions toward children.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and prosecutors to address crimes involving child exploitation and abuse. Authorities began investigating Edwards in spring 2025 after Child Protective Services learned that a minor had run away with an adult male. Forensic analysis of the minor’s phone revealed her location near Edwards’s residence during her disappearance, leading police to obtain and execute a search warrant at his home.
Investigators seized electronic devices belonging to Edwards and found images and videos documenting sexual assaults against the minor. They also recovered messages where Edwards discussed these acts with others who shared similar interests, including statements such as “The 13-year-old really made me want to do this for the rest of my life.” Following his arrest in Kalamazoo County and subsequent indictment by a federal grand jury, Edwards pleaded guilty on December 17, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said, “Devonte Edwards enjoyed finding children to sexually assault, enjoyed making recordings of his sexual assaults, and enjoyed bragging about it to his friends. I doubt he will enjoy being in federal prison for the next 30 years, but that is exactly where he belongs. Sexual predators take note: Keep your hands off of our kids or you will be found, prosecuted and sent to prison for a very long time.”
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office said: “Anyone who exploits a child should expect to spend decades behind bars, and this 30-year sentence sends that message loud and clear… Parents should remain vigilant as many apps allow interaction with strangers… FBI Detroit will continue to pursue those who prey on our children.” David Boysen of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety added: “This conviction sends a clear message: when local and federal partners work together we can hold offenders fully accountable… Protecting children is our highest priority.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety; prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Roth and Austin Hakes.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to combat online child exploitation through coordinated efforts across agencies.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan supports community health through heroin and opioid awareness efforts according to its official website. The office maintains staffed locations in Grand Rapids and Marquette as well as unstaffed offices in Lansing and Kalamazoo according to its official website. It is part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website with approximately seventy employees handling prosecutions along with civil litigation support staff according to its official website. The office prosecutes federal crimes while managing civil cases involving government interests according to its official website across one of America’s longest-standing law enforcement districts according to its official website, covering an area home to roughly 1.6 million residents while providing victim support services according to its official website.
