Leonard Thomas Stewart, III, Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, Arizona 2024

PHOENIX, Ariz. – A Fort Defiance man has been sentenced to over 15 years in prison for his role in Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child, a heinous crime that has left the community shaken.

Leonard Thomas Stewart, III, 24, was sentenced to 188 months in prison, followed by lifetime supervised release by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi on June 17, 2024.

Stewart pleaded guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact of a Child on October 31, 2023. The crime took place between October 3, 2017, and July 11, 2019, where Stewart engaged in abusive sexual contact with the minor victim on numerous occasions.

One instance of sexual contact occurred in Fort Defiance while Stewart and the minor victim were riding horses together. Both the victim and Stewart are members of the Navajo Nation Indian Tribe and the abusive sexual contact occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina J. Reid-Moore, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

The case has sent shockwaves throughout the community, leaving many to wonder how such a heinous crime could have occurred under their very noses. The sentencing of Stewart is a step in the right direction towards justice for the victim and their family.

As the community begins to heal, it is essential to remember that such crimes can happen anywhere and to anyone. It is crucial to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.

In this case, the defendant, Leonard Thomas Stewart, III, will serve his time in prison, but the lasting impact of his actions will be felt for years to come.

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