Hi, my name is Edward. This is a picture of me and my daughter at my wedding in 2022. I never thought I would have her in my life. That moment means more to me than I can explain.

     In 2003, when I was 18 and my high school girlfriend was 15, we conceived our daughter. In Texas, a consensual relationship between teenagers more than three years apart can be prosecuted as a felony. We were three years and five months apart — a senior and a sophomore. I was convicted under a charge misleadingly labeled sexual assault of a child and spent six years in prison, which nearly destroyed my life.

     Years later, the court recognized the relationship as age-based and non-violent and issued a judicial exemption to me. But the label remained on my record.

     Twenty-two years later, that same label was used as a presumption of guilt when I faced my first-ever assault accusation in Amarillo, Texas. My defense attorney made critical errors, and I was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. I currently have a habeas corpus petition pending in Potter County seeking relief.

     Key facts were available at the time of trial, but they were never presented to the jury. Since my conviction, I have uncovered serious issues involving the investigation and my accuser that are still coming to light.

    I have provided documentation to support every claim. This is my story — and why I am asking you to stand with me.

​