Man Sent to Prison for Grand Theft After Avoiding Extortion Conviction
On July 22, Freddie Lee Edwards Jr., 43, was placed into the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) to serve a three-year prison sentence for violating his probation in a prior domestic violence case and felony larceny in a more recent case.
Battery Case
On November 13, 2024, Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Edwards and charged him with misdemeanor domestic battery.
The arrest report states Edwards “kicked the victim in her private area twice,” causing the victim injury. “Post Miranda, [Edwards] advised that he did kick the victim but he was trying to get out of the hotel room.”
The case was later enhanced to a felony because Edwards has prior battery convictions.
On June 9, 2025, Edwards was convicted of felony battery by repeat offender in a no-contest plea deal that was accepted by Judge James Nilon, in which he was sentenced to one year of probation.
Larceny Case
On July 21, 2025, the victim was contacted by Edwards about her lost dog. Edwards got her number via the dog’s collar.
Instead of returning the dog, Edwards accused the victim of neglect and demanded $150 for him to return it. Edwards told the victim he’d report her to law enforcement if she did not pay him.
Out of concern for the dog’s safety, the victim, along with two or more witnesses, met him in person and the victim gave him the money. Edwards then returned the dog. The victim photographed Edwards during the exchange and the witnesses affirmed the events.
GPD charged Edwards with grand theft and extortion, and a warrant was issued.
On November 19, 2025, Edwards was arrested on the warrant. He was charged with violating his probation soon after.
On June 18, 2026, Edwards entered a plea of admission to violating his probation and Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard sentenced him to three years in prison.
On June 26, 2026, Edwards entered a no-contest plea deal in his more recent case that was accepted by Bullard. As part of the deal, prosecutors agreed to drop the more serious extortion charge. The plea had Edwards sentenced to two and a half years in prison, but the time runs alongside his probation violation sentence, so he doesn’t spend more time in prison.
Edwards is currently incarcerated at the FDC Reception and Medical Center.
