LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A former school safety and security assistant, Davon Natrell Stewart, 23, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, with five years of active incarceration and a lifetime registration on the sexual offender registry.
Davon Stewart, from Lexington Park, Maryland, faced trial following accusations involving a student at Chopticon High School, where he was employed during the 2022-2023 academic year. The verdict was delivered after a two-day bench trial in November 2023, overseen by Judge Joseph M. Stanalonis.
State's Attorney Jaymi Sterling highlighted the gravity of the offense, stating, "The Defendant abused his position of trust by using his authority to commit a sex offense on a child who was a student in the school he was supposed to serve and protect." Sterling condemned the exploitation of Stewart's role within the educational setting, emphasizing that schools should be safe environments for children.
Despite the Maryland Sentencing Guideline suggesting a sentencing range of five to 10 years, prosecutors advocated for a harsher penalty. They requested the maximum sentence of 25 years, emphasizing the severe breach of trust and the impact on the victim and community. The court, however, opted for a sentence at the lower end of the state's request, imposing 15 years with an actual term of five years to be served.
Senior Assistant State's Attorney Sarah Proctor, Chief of the Special Victims Unit, represented the prosecution, while Detective Tyler Payne from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office led the investigation into Stewart's conduct.
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety and security in educational settings, particularly involving staff members in positions of authority.
No comments:
Post a Comment