John Wesley Stewart, Child Rape and Abuse, Washington 2022

Seattle Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Rape and Abuse Images

A repeat sex offender, John Wesley Stewart, 56, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Stewart, a registered sex offender, was on state probation following a 10-year prison sentence for molesting a young boy.

According to records, in 2007, Stewart was convicted of rape of a child and possession of child pornography. He was incarcerated until 2016 and placed on state probation for life. However, within six months of completing sex offender treatment, he was caught with hundreds of images of child sexual abuse.

Stewart was arrested in May 2018, in Des Moines, Washington, when officers with the Washington State Department of Corrections found him with unauthorized electronic devices. The devices had more than 200 images of child rape and abuse.

“Mr. Stewart has repeatedly demonstrated that he cannot safely live in the community and will continue to victimize children,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “This ten-year sentence and lifetime of federal supervision are aimed at protecting the community.”

Stewart has been ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the known victims pictured in the images on his devices. The case was investigated by the Washington State Department of Corrections and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez imposed lifetime supervised release to follow this prison term.

The exact charges against John Wesley Stewart include possession of images of child rape and abuse. The sentencing took place in Seattle, Washington. The prison term is 10 years, with a lifetime of federal supervision. Stewart has been ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the known victims pictured in the images on his devices.

Related Federal Cases