Rape Leads to Removal of Pictures From Web Site

While it is still unknown whether Dwayne Russell Edwards, who has been charged with sexual assault and rape, made use of the Internet, some UNC professors have taken measures to protect their students.

Professor Philip Meyer posted individual pictures of students in his "Professional Problems and Ethics in Journalism" class on the class Web site to learn the names of the students.

After hearing about the possible linkage between Edwards and the Internet, Meyer pulled the pictures off line.

"I had (the site) password-protected, but I am not sure that's enough with 95 students in the class," Meyer said. "I took it down (Monday)."

Carrboro police say there is a possibility that Edwards might have used the Internet, but Carrboro Police Capt. Joel Booker would not confirm any allegations. "Certain bits and pieces of information exist, and it's possible he obtained information from that source (the Web sites)," Booker said.

Edwards, who was arrested in January, held jobs at Student Health Service and the University Registrar's Office and has trained for a position at Davis Library.

In these jobs, Edwards had access to University records and Internet sites.

Edwards, 33, of 100 Rock Haven Road, Apt. M-304, in Carrboro,was originally arrested and charged for sexually assaulting a UNC student in a Hillsborough Street apartment in January and later was charged with rape and another sexual assault that occurred in Carrboro.

Edwards was being held under a $3.1 million secured bond, which was raised to a $4.1 million secured bond when he was charged with 25 additional felony charges Wednesday, bringing his charges to a total of 58 felonies.

The new charges result from further investigation and from victims coming forward with additional information, Booker said.

The additional charges include 15 counts of possession of stolen property, four counts of breaking and entering, four counts of larceny, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of second-degree kidnapping.

Police also charged Edwards with armed robbery, first- and second-degree burglary, first- and second-degree kidnapping, larceny, safecracking, financial transaction card theft, possession of stolen goods, obtaining property with false pretense and multiple sexual offenses.

Booker said he feels that police likely will not be serving Edwards with anymore charges, and that the remainder of the case will be settled in court.

But Deb Aikat, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said students and professors should always use caution when posting anything on the Internet.

"Any time you think a stalker could use information against you, my advice to students is 'don't put it on the Web site.'"

The City Editor can be reached

at citydesk@unc.edu.