Federal Agents Charge Louisville Man with Threating to Kill LMPD Officers

Cortez Edwards is charged with threatening to kill LMPD officersCOURTESY OLDHAM COUNTY DETENTION CENTER

BY SPECTRUM NEWS STAFF | KENTUCKY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville man faces federal charges for allegedly threatening police in a social media video while holding weapons.

What You Need To Know

  • Federal Agents arrest Louisville man for threatening to kill officers
  • Cortez Edwards was arrested at his home Sunday
  • Officers found him sleeping with a weapon and a toddler in the room
  • Edwards has previously been convicted of trafficking drugs and weapons charges

 

U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced Cortez Lamont Edwards, 29, of Louisville, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the criminal complaint, on Wed., Sept. 23, 2020, Edwards went live on Facebook in possession of an AR-type pistol including a non-extendible support brace with an extended magazine. In the video, Edwards asks for  $30,000 to shoot Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers who were working a disturbance in the street in front of his home.   Edwards is a felon previously convicted of trafficking a controlled substance and possession of a firearm.

“Louisville needs healing and safety for its citizens, not armed felons seeking bids to shoot police,” said Coleman. “Federal law enforcement here will continue to respond as one to swiftly mitigate threats to our city.”

 

Special Agents from the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshal Service, Federal Protective Service, and officers and detectives from the Louisville Metro Police Department executed a search warrant at Edwards’ home Sun. Sept. 27. Agents found Edwards on the couch in his living room. A Glock model 19, 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, was located on the couch where Edwards was sleeping. When officers entered the home, Edwards was the only adult present in that room, but there was a toddler in a playpen.

If convicted, Edwards faces up to ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

“Threats against law enforcement are unacceptable”, stated Special Agent in Charge R. Shawn Morrow of the Louisville Field Division of ATF. “When you threaten police and brandish firearms, you can expect the attention of ATF. This morning ATF agents, with the immediate assistance of LMPD, HSI, U.S. Marshal’s, and the FBI, executed a warrant and arrested an armed felon ensuring he wouldn’t carry out those threats.”