Warren City, police chief denies liability in civil suit alleging widespread officer misconduct

Michael Edwards Jr.

The city of Warren and its police chief, Erik J. Merkel, have denied liability in a federal civil lawsuit filed by three women who allege they were sexually assaulted and exploited by a now-convicted former police officer.

In a response filed in federal court, attorneys for the city and Merkel offered a blanket denial of many of the allegations in the March 19 complaint. The lawsuit claims that Michael Edwards Jr., while on duty, preyed on vulnerable women beginning in 2019, committing acts including rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and extortion.

Monica Mason, Caitlin Brannan, and Lori Hemberger allege the city and Merkel are liable under federal law for having a "widespread practice" within the police department of officers committing sexual misconduct against vulnerable women, and for failing to adequately supervise and discipline officers.

The city and Merkel's response deny most of the specific allegations of misconduct and widespread practice within the department. They admit that Edwards was indicted in March 2024 and convicted in September 2024 in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on multiple charges, including rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, extortion, theft in office, and dereliction of duty.

However, the response states that the city and Merkel "deny all liability and deny or deny for want of information all other allegations" in the paragraphs detailing Edwards' actions and the alleged culture within the police department.

The defendants also assert several affirmative defenses, including governmental immunity under Ohio law.

The lawsuit also names Edwards as a defendant. He is currently serving a 34-to-39-year prison sentence and has not yet filed a response in the civil case.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney fees and costs. The plaintiffs have also demanded a jury trial.

The case is before Judge Bridget M. Brennan in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.