Kansas felon pleads to interfering with law enforcement

Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez today announced that Anthony D. Edwards, 29, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to felony interference with law enforcement.

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in the afternoon on January 30, 2024, when Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies identified Edwards, who was wanted on a warrant for a felony parole violation by the Kansas Department of Corrections. Edwards was riding a bicycle in the 800 block of New Jersey Street when a deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens to stop Edwards. Edwards got off his bicycle and jumped a fence. He was later located under a nearby backyard deck. At the time of his arrest, Edwards had been on post-release supervision for a conviction in Jackson County, Kansas, for aggravated domestic battery.

“Evading law enforcement puts the community and law enforcement at great risk,” District Attorney Valdez said. “Thank you to the deputies and Lawrence police officers whose swift and effective apprehension measures ensured public safety.”

Assistant District Attorney Samantha Foster represented the State of Kansas. The matter was investigated by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Judge Stacey Donovan set Edwards’ sentencing for 9:30 a.m., on May 24, 2024, at the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Edwards faces 5 to 17 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections.