One’s life depends on the decisions they make, and some decisions have irreversible consequences and are indelible from history. Especially given the internet era, and that anything uploaded on the internet can never be completely removed from it, the impact of some mistakes are more lasting than others. Unfortunately for Navahcia Edwards, she had to learn this lesson the hard way.
Her name might ring a bell for many, but here is a short refresher for those who have forgotten: A high-profile case in 2011 detailed a bank robbery executed by a young couple in nun costumes, and smack dab in the middle of the entire debacle is Navahcia Edwards and her then-lover.
Navahcia Edwards lived a life that could be lightly described as “unfortunate.” The truth, though, is that “unfortunate” does not even begin to cover the extent of it. Her early days have been in the foster care system, and the physical, mental, and sexual abuse she suffered through eventually drove her to try and build a life for herself.
This newfound independence did not come without consequence, and soon, she had depleted what little money she had. Being sixteen, homeless, and desperate to generate some cash to augment her funds for daily living, she made an agreement with an associate to create explicit content of herself for his exclusive consumption in exchange for payment.
It was not until two years later that she learned that this associate had slighted her, and the explicit content she provided him was posted on the internet. Navahcia Edwards was extremely troubled by the long-term implications of the permanence of the internet, and sure enough, she was soon falsely dubbed a porn star and X-rated model by strangers who know nothing of her. There is no shortage of fabricated stories about her on the internet from people who sought to take advantage of the infamy she generated at the time.
A few years later came another significant event in her life: she had been incarcerated for conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, and embezzlement. Before this, she had little to no criminal encounter with authorities. She served five years and ten months for these offenses, and the time she spent in jail allowed her to contemplate her decisions and make plans for what she wanted to do in her life.
Today, she has been back home for about four years. Navahcia Edwards is a proud owner of several successful businesses and currently has three books in progress in preparation for her quest to eventually become a best-selling author.
With her life experiences to draw upon, she hopes to be a source of inspiration for foster kids and women in general, incarcerated, or otherwise. “Obstacles are put in your way to make you work harder,” she says, “so you remember that where you are now did not come easy.”
All people have pasts, and some are worse than others. Navahcia Edwards is not ashamed of her past, as it was a necessary evil for her to learn and grow into the woman she is today. Find out more about her by visiting her website. For updates, follow her on Instagram.
