Stewart Gets 15+ Years for Navajo Nation Abuse

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Leonard Thomas Stewart, III, 24, of Fort Defiance, is facing a long stretch behind bars after receiving a 188-month federal prison sentence for the predatory abuse of a child. U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi handed down the sentence on June 17, 2024, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, effectively removing Stewart from society for the foreseeable future.

Stewart pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child on October 31, 2023, admitting to a pattern of horrific behavior spanning from October 3, 2017, to July 11, 2019. The details revealed a disturbing series of encounters with the minor victim, perpetrated over a nearly two-year period.

The abuse wasn’t confined to a single location. One particularly chilling instance occurred while Stewart and the victim were horseback riding in Fort Defiance. This detail underscores the calculated nature of Stewart’s actions and the betrayal of trust inherent in the abuse. Both Stewart and the victim are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation Indian Tribe, and the crimes took place within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, bringing federal jurisdiction into play.

Federal investigators, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Police Department, painstakingly built the case against Stewart. Their combined efforts were crucial in bringing this predator to justice and protecting other potential victims. The investigation demonstrates a commitment to tackling crimes that exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly within tribal communities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, of the District of Arizona, Phoenix, spearheaded the prosecution, presenting a compelling case that resulted in the significant sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made it clear that such predatory behavior will not be tolerated, and those who prey on children will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Case Details: The case is numbered CR-21-08029-PCT-MTL. Release number is 2024-091_Stewart. For more information regarding the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow them on X @USAO_AZ for the latest updates. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of vigilant reporting and robust law enforcement efforts.

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