Trace Rod Stewart, Kidnapping, Michigan 2018

A harrowing kidnapping in Michigan culminated in a 155-month prison sentence for Trace Rod Stewart, 50, of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Stewart was sentenced to 155 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution.

According to court records, on October 20, 2017, the victim awoke to Stewart leaning over her with a gasoline can. Stewart punched her in the face and forced her into a vehicle using a knife, stealing her keys, cellular phone, and credit card.

For the next nine hours, Stewart drove the victim to New Jersey without telling her where they were going or allowing her to use the restroom. He threatened to light the container of gasoline and blow them both up if the police got behind them and refused to take her home.

Stewart’s criminal activity spans a period of 26 years. Most of his prior offenses involve violence against women. Stewart has several prior convictions, one of them for kidnapping. That offense involved him pointing a gun at a female victim, threatening to kill her, and holding her against her will.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney April Russo.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was finally released unharmed after Stewart’s capture.

United States Attorney Matthew Schneider announced the sentencing, joined by Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/new-jersey-man-sentenced-155-months-kidnapping-charges