Child Rapist Convicted of Abusing Second Grader

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Child Abuse Unit obtained multiple convictions against a man who raped a second grader. Joshua Michael Stewart, 34, was convicted of Rape of a Child and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery. After the jury returned their verdict, Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on November 18.

At trial, Assistant District Attorneys Joanie Stewart and Ashley McDermott put on proof that showed that starting in 2007 when the victim was in the second grade through the time she was in the fourth grade, Joshua Stewart sexually assaulted the victim by touching her, by digitally penetrating her, and by making her touch him. The victim did not disclose this information until several years later when Stewart was sent to prison on an unrelated Aggravated Assault case. Once the victim disclosed, Knoxville Police Department Investigator Keith Johnson interviewed both the victim and Stewart and sent the victim to be interviewed forensically at Childhelp Children’s Center of East Tennessee.

“”This conviction stems from the bravery of a child who came forward, disclosed what happened to her, and then confronted her abuser in front of a courtroom full of strangers,”” said DA Charme Allen.””The courage of this child has put an end to this perpetrator’s abuse.””

Rape of a Child is a Class A felony that carries a punishment of twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of parole. On each of the counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery, Stewart is facing eight to twelve years in prison. At sentencing, prosecutors will ask Judge Sword for the maximum sentence on each count and to run those counts consecutive to each other to ensure Stewart remains in prison for as long as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.