Would-be kidnapper takes guilty plea

COEUR d’ALENE — Jason A. Edwards, 44, pleaded guilty to three felony charges Monday and now faces up to 55 years in prison for an attack on a fellow Coeur d’Alene Press employee.

Edwards pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. He also pleaded guilty to battery with the intent to commit a felony, which carries 20 years, and aggravated assault, which carries five years.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh said Edwards also faces a deadly weapons enhancement charge, which carries an additional 15 years.

“The weapons enhancement is for the aggravated assault which was related to the use of a knife,” McHugh added.

Edwards was arrested and charged with those crimes after attacking and attempting to kidnap another Coeur d’Alene Press employee in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2015.

Edwards’ victim was held at knifepoint and led to a nearby getaway van, where she was able to take Edwards’ knife and escape. She sliced Edwards’ hand before returning to the Coeur d’Alene Press building and locking herself in the newsroom.

McHugh said as part of a pretrial settlement agreement, he dropped a burglary charge and a sexual assault enhancement charge against Edwards.

McHugh said his office has reserved the right to recommend any sentence it sees fit at the time of Edwards’ sentencing hearing at 3:30 p.m. on June 7.