Tulsa man sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing a minor under the age of 12

TULSA, Okla. — Content Warning: The following article contains descriptions of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12.

On June 10, a U.S. district judge sentenced Edward Joseph Parson, 31, of Tulsa, to life in prison.

In December, Parson was convicted by a federal jury of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country.

“Mr. Parson’s abhorrent crimes against a child were facilitated by the cowardly silence of individuals who attempted to conceal his despicable acts,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray.

In court documents, prosecutors described the repeated sexual abuse inflicted on the child and explained how Parson kept the child quiet and afraid for some time.

According to the child’s testimony, Parson would hit her on the face and arms, “grab her by the neck until her body became tired,” and harm her pet.

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Prosecutors further explained that when the child first disclosed the sexual abuse to an adult, Parson convinced the adult to remain quiet about the abuse.

He continued his attempts to discredit the victim when she disclosed to others and the first adults she spoke to tried to silence her.

After five months the victim was safely placed with new caregivers, where she them about some of the abuse and they called authorities.

“The FBI applauds the caregivers who disclosed these crimes to law enforcement. Alongside our police partners and federal prosecutors, the FBI will continue to protect our children from predators,” said Gray.