Urbana Township – The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office has arrested seventy-five (75) year old Edward Bridges of Urbana in connection with an ongoing investigation involving the sexual assault of a minor on March 22, 2026, at approximately, 1:30 AM

The investigation began after the victim’s family reported that a cellular phone belonging to Bridges had been located by the victim’s sibling. The device was found to contain multiple images and videos depicting the abuse of the victim, a 7-year-old girl. The evidence indicates the abuse occurred over a period of several years.
Sheriff’s deputies conducted interviews with the victim’s parents and subsequently made contact with Bridges. During the interview, Bridges provided a full confession and consented to a forensic examination of the cellular device. A
preliminary review of the phone corroborated the allegations, revealing multiple files of evidentiary value.
Bridges was taken into custody and charged with multiple felony offenses, including Predatory Criminal Sexual
Assault of a Child and Child Pornography. He is scheduled to appear for arraignment on Monday afternoon. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 217-384-1213.