Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested a BSO detention deputy on sexual battery and false imprisonment charges. Following Tuesday’s arrest, he was terminated.

A Florida woman told detectives she was attending a house party in Deerfield Beach, where she was sexually battered. Detectives identified the offender as 25-year-old Edwin Horace. When questioned, Horace admitted to the sexual encounter with the victim but told detectives it was consensual.

Detectives said the sex offenses occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, March 16. The victim told investigators the sexual acts were not consensual.

SVU detectives arrested Horace Tuesday morning on two counts of sexual battery and one count of false imprisonment. Horace, who was hired as a deputy in the Department of Detention and Community Programs, has been employed with BSO for less than one year.

After further investigation, on Wednesday, March 18, detectives identified another female victim who attended the party. Detectives said Horace faces an additional count of false imprisonment, one count of strangulation dating violence and two counts of touch or strike battery. The investigation continues.

“On and off duty, I expect all employees to conduct themselves lawfully and with decency. I find the allegations in this case deeply disturbing and concerning. Therefore, immediate action was taken to terminate the probationary employee,” Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony said.