By: Stephanie Jacksis
UPDATE 07/27/2012: A judge denied the defense's motion to reduce Charlie Stewart Sr.'s bond from half a million dollars to $10,000.
In the 426th District Court, the prosecution revealed Stewart had a previous felony charge involving a minor. In 1991, Stewart Sr. was charged with sexual battery of a child, who was between the age of 10 and 12 years old.
The incident allegedly happened in Natchez, Mississippi. Natchez Police confirmed they arrested Stewart in '91, but said Stewart pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. His charge was reduced to child fondling.
Defense Attorney F. Edward Brown said he did not know about that previous arrest until Friday. Brown said he still believes Stewart will be exonerated by or on his court date.
Brown said a KISD attorney is giving Stewart the option of voluntarily resigning from his job at Manor Middle School, or Stewart will be terminated next week. KISD officials said they could not confirm this information at this time.
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UPDATE 07/24/2012: Apparently, two more alleged victims may step forward. The mayor's attorney, F. Edward Brown said he hasn't been able to file an official response to the allegations but hopes the Stewart's name will soon be cleared.
According to Brown, the mayor contacted him July 9th.
"I am absolutely certain that Mr. Stewart will be exonerated at or before trial," Brown said. "We anticipate that charges will be filed against him, involving three alleged victims. I anticipate as soon as paperwork has been filed, I will file a response to the allegations against Mayor Stewart."
Police records show the alleged assaults occurred several times at Stewart's home. They began in the summer of 2011.
Attorney Brown also represented former Nolanville Councilman Miguel Aviles, who was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to two sex crimes with a child.
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BELL COUNTY - Nolanville Mayor Charlie Lee Stewart Sr. was arrested Friday for sexually assaulting a child.
Around 2:30 p.m., Nolanville Police arrested Stewart, 58, from his home. He remained in Bell County Jail Monday. His bail was set at $500,000.
Officers said on June 28, a female child younger than 14 years of age complained something happened to her. She was taken to Scott & White Hospital to be examined. Police have been working on the case ever since.
"I'm very happy that she's as strong as she is," St. David LaCroix said. "She has a family support group that's behind her 110%, and that makes my job a little bit easier. Fifty percent of my job is to investigate a crime, the other 50% is to protect that victim."
As it turns out, not only is Stewart an elected city official. He also worked at a school in Killeen.
KISD officials confirmed Charlie Lee Stewart Sr. has been the Campus Technologist at Manor Middle School since 2001. Stewart has been placed on administrative leave.
District officials said they conduct a yearly background check on all of their employees.
The district released a statement that read, "Mr. Stewart passed each background check that was conducted."
City Officials in Nolanville also released a statement.
"In light of the Mayor being arrested on July 20th, the City takes all matters serious. It is a shock to hear of any public official being arrested. It's something that you hope you never have to deal with."
City Council meetings business will continue on as scheduled. According to the City Charter, Mayor Pro-Tem Brenda Huckaba will serve as the Mayor during the absence of Stewart.
Stewart could be removed from office if he misses three regular meetings, or if he's convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
While it's unclear if more victims are coming forward, police did say they're following up on leads from out-of-state at this time.
