Guilty Verdict Life Sentence In Child Sexual Abuse Case

BAY COUNTY, FL – July 30th – “A man was found guilty of sexually molesting a young girl was sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility of parole,” State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Jermaine Johnathan Stewart, 25, was found guilty of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation after a 1-day trial on July 30, 2025. The jury deliberated about 90 minutes after Prosecutor Morgan Morrell delivered her final argument.

“We’re pleased with the verdict and the Life sentence, which would not have been possible without the courage the victim showed in testifying,” Morrell said. “This is something she will have to deal with the rest of her life, but thanks to her he won’t have a chance to abuse another child.”

The victim, who was 9 years old when the charged offense occurred, testified that the defendant had molested her repeatedly in 2020 and 2021. She was too afraid to report it immediately, and for a period of time did not see the defendant. 

She said she was triggered last year when she realized the defendant was following one of her social media accounts, and she was emotionally overwhelmed.

She disclosed the abuse to her mother, who called the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (GCCAC) then conducted a forensic interview of the victim to obtain details of the abuse. Jurors viewed a video of that interview.

Basford thanked the Sheriff’s Office for its response and the GCCAC for its thorough interview of the victim.