Former Hurricane preschool teacher sentenced for sexually exploiting minor
HURRICANE, Utah (ABC4) — A former Hurricane preschool teacher has been sentenced to prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor after he sent sexually explicit photographs of a juvenile and attempted to contact other minors.
Benjamin Carl Stewart, 43, was sentenced in the 5th District Court on two counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor (third-degree felony) and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor (third-degree felony).
Stewart pleaded guilty on all three counts. Each count holds a prison sentence of “an indeterminate term of not to exceed five years in the Utah State Prison,” court documents state.
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At the time of his arrest, Stewart was employed as a preschool life skills teacher, working with special education students, at the Hurricane Early Childhood Center, the affidavit states.
According to the affidavit, Stewart used his work email with the Washington County School District to access an account where he shared the sexually explicit photographs and asked to contact other minors.
Stewart’s behavior was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children via a CyberTip on Feb. 21. The tip alleged he engaged in online chatting where he told others he had sexually abused a juvenile and shared photos of the minor. “[Stewart] also solicited nude images of children and solicited contact with other subjects’ children,” the affidavit states.
After Stewart was identified, deputies said he was served a search warrant where “multiple chat records were observed consistent with the chats reported in the CyberTips in which [Stewart’s account] exchanged photos, requested nude photos of juveniles.”
Stewart was detained on his way to work and brought back to his home to be interviewed, the affidavit states. There, he admitted the account was his and that he shared the explicit photographs, but denied sending or receiving nude photos of children. He also denied touching the juvenile inappropriately, deputies said.
Stewart was arrested on the charges previously stated. On May 9, Stewart was sentenced to Utah State Prison.
Report child pornography to law enforcement by contacting the ICAC Tip Line at (801) 281-1211 or your local law enforcement agency.
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