Man Accused of Harassing Tuscaloosa County Schools Attacks Deputies Trying to Arrest Him
A Tuscaloosa County man accused of repeatedly harassing three area schools is facing additional charges after he allegedly attacked sheriff's deputies dispatched to arrest him.
According to court documents filed Wednesday afternoon, the trouble began when three local schools -- Sipsey Valley High School, Sipsey Valley Middle School and Myrtlewood Elementary School -- began receiving anonymous, harassing phone calls.
Investigators said over a two-week period, a man using a spoofed telephone number called the schools as many as 15 times a day. He allegedly would ask to speak to a specific staff member and, when told they were not available, would curse at whomever was on the other end of the call.
The incidents were reported to the sheriff's office, and eventually, investigators were able to identify the suspect as 27-year-old Roshea Domondre Edwards, who reportedly used an app to conceal his real phone number.
After obtaining warrants to charge Edwards with three counts of misdemeanor harassing communication, three TCSO investigators went to Edwards' house in Fosters to arrest him.
According to the deposition, Edwards ignored the deputies when they told him he was under arrest, but when they moved to handcuff him, he allegedly punched one of the investigators in the face with a closed fist.
Edwards then fought the law enforcement officers for some time, punching, kicking and biting them. He was finally subdued, but not before two of the deputies sustained injuries in the melee.
According to court documents, one investigator was bruised above his right eye socket and may have broken his right hand.
A second deputy "suffered scratches to the base of his neck, a bite mark to his left arm, redness on the back of his head, a scratch to his right cheek and scratches on his left knuckle."
Now, instead of facing three simple misdemeanors for the phone calls, Edwards has also been charged with two counts of second-degree assault, class C felonies that can carry up to 10 years in prison each.
The court documents did not make clear what specific grievance Edwards had with the schools that led him to call them in the first place.
Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for more details as they become available.