The Austin Police Department issued a notification on Friday to inform the public that a Level 3 predatory offender is scheduled for release in Austin.

William Marcus Daniel Edwards, 26, will be released from prison into the Austin community on Aug. 1. He will reside in the 1000 block of Fourth Avenue Northeast. A supervising agent of the Minnesota Department of Corrections and members of the Mankato Intensive Supervised Release (ISR) will monitor him.

Edwards served time in prison for engaging in sexual encounters with two minor female victims on separate occasions. He gained access to one victim by meeting her online and arranging a meeting. He approached the other victim in public and invited her back to his residence. Edwards used intoxicants and force to gain compliance. He was not previously known to either of the victims.

His status as a Level 3 offender indicates he is at a high risk of reoffending.

The Austin Police Department would like to remind the public that Edwards has served his full court-ordered sentence and is not wanted by the police. Abuse of the information in the form of threatening, harassing or intimidating the offender is unacceptable and such acts could result in criminal charges. The notification is not intended to increase fear in the community, but to make the public aware.

Police say that if Edwards is seen in areas where he is not allowed, such as schools or parks, to call 911 immediately.

The Austin Police Department is available to answer any questions at 507-437-9400. For more information about sex offenders and community notifications, visit www.mn.gov/doc and click on “Offender Search.”