Upskirting suspect faces new stalking charge

FAIRFAX, Va. - A man who pleaded guilty five years ago in Maryland to spraying his bodily fluid on women in stores and was arrested earlier this year on other sexual crimes is now facing new charges filed against him.

Police and prosecutors are investigating all allegations against Michael Edwards and have just brought two more charges, including stalking.

He has been arrested multiple times in the last few months, but has not had a court date yet.

In September, he was first arrested after police say he took upskirt pictures of a woman at a Safeway store, which is next door to the gym where he worked. He allegedly then exposed himself to the woman in this area behind the Safeway.

He was arrested again for taking upskirt photos of another woman at another Safeway store earlier in the summer.

As FOX 5 exclusively reported, Edwards was interviewed by police in September again, and according to an affidavit, became their lead suspect in an investigation of a woman who said she was walking along a sidewalk, felt fluid on her back and turned to see a man touching his genitals.

Now, we have learned that Edwards was arrested last week. We asked his lawyer for comment on Tuesday, but she did not respond. We also went to Edwards' home, but there was no answer.

Fairfax County police say the newest charges are connected to the first victim who came forward.

"The detectives have determined the victim from the August incident was the same victim from an additional case back in July," said Fairfax County Police spokesperson Officer Shelley Broderick. "Based on the evidence they have, it would appear that he has been following her and she was obviously in fear."

We asked the Fairfax Commonwealth's Attorney's Office about these latest charges and the one from Sept. 5 in the case of the woman who alleged that a man ejaculated on her back.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Robert D. McClain said in a statement, "Mr. Edwards is due in court next week to face six charges: stalking, three counts of unlawful filming, masturbation in public and indecent exposure. The Sept. 5 incident is still under investigation."