A jury has found an Elgin man guilt of sexually assaulting a woman he knew after threatening her with a knife.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced yesterday that a jury has found 45-year-old Zanzibah T. Stewart guilty of Aggravated criminal sexual assault, class X felony (3 counts); Criminal sexual assault, class 1 felony (3 counts); and Aggravated unlawful restraint, class 3 felony.
The jury found that on November 8, 2020, Stewart threatened the victim, a woman Stewart knew at the time, with a knife and then sexually assaulted her.
“The defendant is finally being held accountable for his actions due to the victim’s bravery and perseverance,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Amanda Busljeta after the verdict. “I hope that she can now find closure and begin to heal.”
Judge John Barsanti set Stewart’s next court appearance for March 6, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 319 at the Kane County Judicial Center for post-trial motions. Stewart faces a minimum sentence of 18 years imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In addition to the prison term, Stewart must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.
Stewart remains in custody at the Kane County jail.
