The jury found Edouard not guilty of three counts of third-degree sexual abuse.
The jury found him guilty of all four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, school employee or clergy. They also found him guilty of having a pattern, practice or scheme to sexually exploit.
Four women in Edouard's former congregation at Covenant Reform Church in Pella said he used his influence as a pastor and counselor to draw them into having sexual relations. Three of the women said the first sexual encounter with Edouard was rape.
The jury deliberated Thursday afternoon and Friday. They announced they were returning to the courtroom to read the verdict about 3:50 p.m.
Assistant Iowa Attorney General Scott Brown said they were hoping for convictions on the sex abuse charges and believed they had the evidence to prove them.
“Ultimately, in the end, we’re just happy and very pleased with the outcome,” Brown said. “We knew the sexual abuse charges were a real uphill battle because of the nature of the relationships that our victims had with the defendant.”
Edouard faces up to nine years in prison.
